Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161:reg:2:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 5/7)
Character Range: 27002–30699

pest species.
  • The unintended effects of fox control are minimised.
Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Priority and timeframe

  3.1 Develop simple and cost-effective methods for monitoring populations of foxes and the impacts of foxes, including reliable methods for monitoring foxes and key native species at different densities, including very low densities.   Medium priority, short term

  3.2 Investigate interactions between foxes and native carnivores to identify the significance of competition and predation by foxes to these native species.                                                                               Medium priority, long term

  3.3 Determine the nature of interactions between foxes, feral cats, wild dogs and rabbits to effectively integrate fox control activities for all four species.                                                                            Medium priority, long term

  3.4 Identify any unintended effects that fox control may have if conducted in isolation from other management activities.                                                                                                                  Medium priority, long term

  3.5 Develop means for estimating the environmental and other associated costs of impacts arising from foxes.                                                                                                                               Medium priority, short term

     Objective 4
Improve the effectiveness, target specificity, integration and humaneness of control options for foxes

Key actions for Objective 4 include improving control methods, training land managers to make the best use of control methods, and increasing the adoption of standard control methods. Actions 4.1–4.5 focus on improving control of foxes through better use of existing techniques and development of new techniques, including those for monitoring success of control in the field. Many of these actions are a high priority and will require a long-term commitment.

Deficiencies in currently available baits and baiting systems create an obstacle to fox control. In response to this situation, Actions 4.1 and 4.2 are to conduct research and extension to improve existing baiting methods and to develop and promote new control techniques. Areas for investigation should include the deployment of baits, canid-specific toxins (which may allow greater surface baiting), 1080/analgesic combination, M44 ejectors, self-loading bait delivery stations, hormone-based fertility control and bait station lures. Such an increased range of control techniques will reduce reliance on 1080 baiting and may facilitate high fox kill rates through integrated control.

The cost-effectiveness of exclusion fences and control methods such as shooting is covered by Action 4.3. The potential for use of control techniques that target foxes but not dingoes is covered by Action 4.4.

To improve the effectiveness of local and regional control programs, Action 4.5 is to develop training programs to help land managers identify control methods appropriate for local conditions and determine in what circumstances and times they should be used.

Fox control programs need to consider habitat rehabilitation and other activities that may be required to promote the recovery of native species and ecological communities; this is covered by Action 4.6.

Finally, to ensure that fox management follows best practice, Action 4.7 is to continue to