For years, Bermudians have watched the feral chicken population grow from a nuisance into a full-blown environmental and agricultural problem. The public have been asked to report large feral chicken populations to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Government has begun selling $100 cages so we can trap chickens ourselves.

Unfortunately, this most recent ask seems to say more about the Government’s misplaced priorities than its commitment to solving the problem.

It appears the Government’s strategy is passing the feral chicken problem on to the public, one expensive cage at a time. Asking residents to pay $100 for the tools to solve a national issue while government coffers benefit is not leadership, it’s abdication of responsibility.

The Government received suggestions from the public for addressing the feral chicken problem, but it appears it has opted not to pursue them. Bermudians are resourceful and willing to be part of the solution, but we expect leadership that listens and acts.

The growth of the feral chicken population mirrors another troubling trend — the concerning rat problem across the island. Both these issues point to a systemic neglect in pest and wildlife management. The longer the Government delays proactive action, the higher the cost will be to farmers, residents and our environment.

The public deserve more than token gestures and overpriced cages. Bermuda urgently needs a strategy that treats environmental management effectively, that embraces the challenge and seriously considers the opportunity it presents.

Until the Government has a strategy that treats environmental management as both a challenge and an opportunity that can support local enterprise, strengthen food sustainability and protect our quality of life, the chickens and rats will continue to multiply, and so will the frustration of the people who are left to deal with them.

• Robin Tucker is the Shadow Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors and One Bermuda Alliance MP for Hamilton South