RABBITS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment a question relating to the rapid increase in feral rabbit numbers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: For many years, South Australian landholders have been fighting feral rabbits, which cause severe damage to the natural environment and agriculture. They compete with native wildlife, damage vegetation and degrade land, causing millions of dollars in crop losses. The last two seasons, in particular, have seen massive increases in the number of rabbits due to a combination of factors, such as high rainfall, large quantities of available food and ideal breeding conditions.

The task of landowners, in some cases, is exacerbated by the failure of landholders of adjoining properties to manage feral rabbits on their properties. I understand that there is currently no legal requirement for landowners to eradicate feral rabbits on their properties. My question to the minister is: will the government look at putting a legal onus on landowners to contain feral rabbits on their properties?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:39): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. As we all know, rabbits cause quite severe damage to the environment and primary industries. They can prevent the regeneration of native plants, they compete with livestock for pasture, and they increase soil erosion. Nationally, rabbits are estimated to cost agriculture over $200 million per annum, I am advised.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease was introduced as a rabbit biological control in 1995. It was highly effective in arid areas, but not as effective in cooler areas, moist areas and coastal areas. I am advised that over the last five years rabbits have started developing resistance to calicivirus, with numbers recovering to high levels in some areas. The benefits from calicivirus to both the environment and primary industries are being eroded as rabbit numbers increase.

Recent good seasons across South Australia have produced plenty of food for rabbits and extended their breeding season, I am told. Consequently, natural resource management boards have increased efforts to encourage land managers to use conventional rabbit controls (such as warren ripping and baiting) where economically feasible.

Landholders have a duty of care obligation to protect the environment and their own primary industries. Rabbits are declared for control under the Natural Resources Management Act, and Biosecurity SA is currently collaborating with international and interstate researchers at the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre to extend the benefits of calicivirus and to investigate the potential for new biological control agents for rabbits.

Biosecurity SA is also collaborating with researchers on a project funded by the Australian government to develop a system to monitor rabbit control and the benefits this may have for native vegetation, but at this stage we are not looking at putting in place any compulsory requirements on landowners to control rabbits. We believe it is better to work with them, educate them through the NRM process and encourage them to look after their own land.