A former Nationals MP says the imminent culling of wild brumbies in the Hunter region has been cleared without proper community consultation.

The aerial culling of around 150 wild horses at the Singleton Army Base is set to go ahead today.

On Monday, Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen called on Federal Defence Minister Christopher Pyne to intervene and prevent the “unacceptable” killing.

He said there are plenty of other options available, including relocating the animals.

Former Nationals MP for Monaro Peter Cochran tells Michael McLaren the community hasn’t been properly consulted about the issue.

“It’s just come out of the blue and they just assume that the public would go away over Christmas and it would all be forgotten by January.

“Well, no. We operate 24/7.”

Mr Cochran has concerns about how the killing will take place, saying there is a risk of wounding the animals and causing suffering.

“Delivering a bullet to a moving target from a moving platform is extraordinarily difficult without the prospect of wounding them.”

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