NSW Farmers and the Greens are calling for the resumption of aerial culling of invasive species in NSW, amid fears the pest population could boom, threatening biosecurity and diversity.
NSW Farmers chief executive Pete Arkle says good money has been spent controlling pests but the recent pause could undo that work.
"Putting an immediate halt to pest control efforts is like trying to put out half a fire, they'll simply come back again and in larger numbers," Mr Arkle said on Thursday.
The shooting of pests on the ground or from a helicopter has been paused for several weeks due to an investigation, however trapping and baiting operations continued, a spokesperson for Environment Minister James Griffin said.
"The minister understands the shooting element of the feral animal control program will recommence very soon," they said.
Mr Arkle says it should resume by the end of the week.
"This is absolutely the wrong time to stop pest animal control," he said.
Greens MP and agriculture spokeswoman Sue Higginson joined the call for an immediate resumption.
"The hypocrisy and reckless disregard that the coalition is showing to the environment, farmers, land managers and the rest of the country is gobsmacking," she said.
Pests pose a biosecurity risk to farmers because disease can quickly spread between feral populations and then passed on to livestock, Mr Arkle said.
Farmers also spend considerable amounts protecting their property from wild dogs and pigs, he said.
The review was triggered by reports to a Sydney radio station that deer had been shot on a property near where people were walking last month.
A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokesperson said the review will be completed soon and will lead to stronger safety protocols for shooting operations.
"After an allegation in relation to an incident involving the aerial shooting of deer, a review is being conducted to ensure the NPWS feral animal control program is carried out with the highest safety standards," they said.
"While the review is being conducted, there has been a short pause in aerial and ground shooting operations, with other feral animal control methods continuing as usual."
The NPWS says it is conducting the largest control program in its history, removing more than 70,000 pigs, goats, deer, foxes, cats, rabbits and other feral animals from national parks over the past two years.
Ms Higginson accused Mr Griffin of "pandering to shock jocks and his National Party cabinet colleagues instead of keeping his own commitments to invasive species control".
Environment ministers from around the country met in Brisbane last week and agreed to better manage invasive species that threaten biodiversity.
