Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p37
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 37/80)
Character Range: 106504–111143

Felis catus is interbred with another species of small cat e.g. savannah cat, a hybrid between the domestic cat and the serval, Leptailurus serval) become established. This is because these hybrid cats have different body sizes, physical abilities, and behaviours that could give them 'access' to native species that are currently less susceptible to impacts from the feral cat. Some designer hybrids may also be more able to cross water barriers to reach islands if they can swim, and to access native species currently protected within havens if they are able to scale higher fences than existing feral cats can. There is also the risk of hybrid cats interbreeding with feral Felis catus - if hybrid cat genes enter the feral cat population, the problem will continue to get worse.

     Performance Criteria

      Table 2 Objective 1. Performance Criteria

Objective 1. Performance criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Evaluate progress
Legislation, regulation frameworks are enhanced and coordinated
Commonwealth, state and territory legislation identifies feral cats as a pest and provides the context and foundation to support improved feral cat control.                                                                                                                                                                                                     2029 and 2034
State and territory legislation relating to pet cat management is more aligned and improved, and supports actions by local government.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2029 and 2034
There is increased consistency across jurisdictions in what feral cat control options are permissible, with such regulation informed by appropriate levels of risk assessment, that also allows for more rapid adaptation in control methods when conditions change.                                                                                             2029 and 2034
There is no exemption allowing the import of Bengal cats from 1 March 2025. From 1 March 2026, no hybrid cats are permitted to be imported into Australia without an environmental impact assessment and inclusion on the Live Import List.                                                                                                                      2029 and 2034
Planning frameworks are enhanced and coordinated
All new threat abatement plans for pest species that interact with cats, and recovery plans and conservation advices for newly listed threatened species affected by cat predation (or cat-borne disease), show explicit linkages to this threat abatement plan, and their priority management actions are coordinated with the actions described in this plan.  2029
Such linkages to this feral cat threat abatement plan are established for all relevant existing threat abatement plans, recovery plans and conservation advices.                                                                                                                                                                                                 2034
At least one regional planning trial has been established that coordinates and prioritises cat management to benefit multiple threatened species and at priority sites.                                                                                                                                                                                          2029 and 2034
At least one trial is established for enhanced management of cats as a biodiversity offset, as part of development impact assessment processes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2029 and 2034
At least one trial is adopted for a biodiversity certificate scheme for land managers who effectively control feral cats at a site with significant value for cat-susceptible species.                                                                                                                                                                           2029 and 2034

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