Farmers in northern NSW are calling on the state government to provide insurance against livestock losses if stronger legal protections for dingoes lead to more attacks on stock.

In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into dingoes in national parks, Clarence Valley farmers say landholders should not bear the financial consequences of policy changes that increase wild dog numbers on neighbouring properties.

The farmers “request the government to provide insurance against increased stock losses due to increases in dingo numbers if there is a reclassification and protection of dingoes/wild dogs”.

The inquiry is examining the management, ecological role, genetic status and legislative framework surrounding dingoes in NSW national parks.

The farmers’ submission says wild dogs cost Australia’s agricultural sector more than $300 million a year, primarily through stock losses. It argues producers of sheep, cattle, poultry and other livestock adjoining national parks already shoulder a disproportionate burden from livestock predation, while dingoes remain protected on public land.

The farmers say any move to expand dingo protections should be accompanied by measures to offset the financial impact on neighbouring landholders.

They also call for the government to fund and maintain exclusion fencing around national parks if dingoes receive greater protection.