NSW State Government committed to end the licensed shooting of flying-foxes in NSW.

In a last minute decision before entering the caretaker period, the NSW State Government announced that farmers who are affected by flying-foxes would be given more than $5 million in financial assistance towards the installation of full exclusion netting around orchards, accompanied by a phase-out over a three year period of the licensed shooting of flying-foxes.

"The ending of the barbaric practice of the licensed shooting of one of our threatened native species is a welcome decision that cannot come soon enough," said HSI's Alexia Wellbelove.

HSI further welcomed the news that the NSW Liberals & Nationals, should they form Government post in this month's election, would further improve on the Government's commitment by phasing out shooting within a two year period.

"This long-awaited commitment to end licensed shooting is a great relief to HSI, but it is essential that shooting is banned as soon as possible with no phase-in period. Only an immediate ban on the shooting of flying-foxes can avoid this unnecessary cruelty," concluded Alexia Wellbelove.