Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00031:body:0:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00031
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 40341–43268

agents in reducing rabbit numbers and in helping to protect threatened species, these actions are considered of high priority and will require a long-term and ongoing commitment. Through developing a greater understanding of the rabbit biocontrol viruses, including behaviours and evolutions, and increasing their effectiveness in the field, Australia will be better placed to respond to any future increase in rabbit numbers. It will also allow land managers to counteract any decrease in the effectiveness of existing strains by having new and effective biocontrol tools. Research being undertaken through Invasive Animals CRC programs such as the RHD Boost and Acceleration programs (see background document for further information on these programs (Department of the Environment and Energy 2016a)) will be of benefit to these actions. Other research institutes including universities and the CSIRO are also well placed to conduct novel research programs into control of rabbits based on their genetics, neurology and other physiological processes.
Actions 3.6 focuses on ensuring there is adequate monitoring and surveillance throughout Australia to determine whether or not rabbit pathogens continue to be effective in reducing rabbit numbers. Monitoring and surveillance is also critical to understanding the prevalence, seasonal fluctuations and interactions with the current biocontrol agents (Cox et al. 2013) and contributes to the outcomes of actions 3.3 to 3.5. Research under this action should include pre and post monitoring for any new release of a pathogen to track its performance and to better estimate the return on investment. This will help inform and define how successful future releases of biocontrol agents in the field might be and how they might complement or reduce the effects of existing measures (Saunders et al. 2010; Cox et al. 2013).

Action 3.7 aims to provide further tools for land managers to improve their ability to predict and forecast optimal rabbit control methods in order to effectively reduce the number of rabbits and their impact on various landscapes. At present, very few tools exist to estimate the various costs of using different control measures and how inaction may affect numbers of rabbits, impacts on the environment, and costs over time. In addition, existing tools are limited to certain regions and habitat types and have not yet been extrapolated for use in all habitat types. Expanding the applicability of these tools would assist land managers to design more effective control programs and gain a better understanding of the potential impact of their choice of control activities.

Action 3.8 follows on from action 3.7 by aiming to develop further economic assessment methods to determine the environmental benefits of rabbit control. At present, a model has been developed by Cooke et al. (2010) for the control of rabbits across south-eastern Australia with