Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00031:body:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00031
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 47670–52523

term  and ongoing  Measurable and continued reduction in the number and impacts of rabbits through use of biocontrol agents.                                                                                                    Additional biocontrol agents are available to registered land managers.                                       Government and product manufacturers.

3.4 Increase understanding of the seasonal patterns of RCV-A1 and its interaction with RHDV strains.                                                                               High priority, long term               A clear understanding of the interaction between all the strains of RHDV.                                                                                                                                    Research papers and reports on RCV-A1 and its interaction with RHDV strains are published.                    Researchers and Government

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Land managers able to time releases of RHDV strains for maximum impact.                                                                                                                                      Future biocontrol research takes into account, and aims to reduce interactions of RCV-A1 with RHDV strains.

3.5 Increase understanding of the long term effect of evolution and genetic resistance to biocontrol agents.                                                                       Medium priority, long term             A clear understanding of the virus' evolution and role in genetic resistance. Future biocontrol programs are strengthened by taking account of the rate of evolution and development of genetic resistance.  Research papers and reports on virus evolution and its role in genetic resistance are published.              Researchers

3.6 Conduct pre and post monitoring to determine success of biocontrol releases across a range of landscapes                                                                       High priority, medium term             A clear understanding of the effectiveness, or otherwise, of each biocontrol agent release, and its environmental impacts.                                                                                   Monitoring results for biocontrol reported of the reduction in rabbit numbers and environmental outcomes.     Government, researchers, community groups and land managers

3.7 Further develop user-friendly models to predict and forecast the impact of changes in rabbit numbers and effectiveness of control methods in a range of different landscapes   Medium priority, medium term           Land managers are able to implement the most cost effective and optimal rabbit control activities.                                                                                                           Forecasting tools are developed for use by land managers.                                                     Researchers and Government

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Training provided to land managers in the use of the models.

3.8 Further develop economic assessment methods to determine the environmental benefits of rabbit control                                                                          Medium priority, medium term           Land managers are able to apply an economic assessment to the value of managing environmental assets.                                                                                                        Economic assessment tools are available to land managers                                                      Researchers and Government

Objective 4 – Increase engagement of, and awareness by, the community of the impacts caused by rabbits, and the need for integrated control

The success of previous rabbit control, predominantly due to the effectiveness of biocontrol agents, has resulted in rabbits losing some of their profile in the community as a major pest species (Williams et al. 1995; Cox et al. 2013). This has reduced the general awareness of rabbits as a problem, which has often resulted in diminished support in the community for ongoing rabbit research and control (Williams et al. 1995; Cox et al. 2013). Fewer government officials with rabbit control