The Australian Pest Animal Strategy
The Australian Pest Animal Strategy Conference Paper
16th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference
- Author(s): Dall, D.J.
- Published: 2010
- Publisher: Australian Rangeland Society
Abstract: The Australian rangelands are inhabited by a variety of vertebrate pest animals including rabbits, foxes, and wild dogs, and feral camels, goats, pigs and cats. These pests cause environmental damage through their predatory and browsing activities and economic impacts through forage and stock losses, damage to infrastructure and associated management costs. The Australian Pest Animal Strategy (APAS) was recently developed by the national Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC), and now provides a framework plan that has been endorsed by all Australian governments. It sets out how the governments will work with each other, and with business, industry and the community to manage the issues and problems associated with vertebrate pest animals in Australia. In its most basic terms, the APAS aims to help prevent the introduction and spread of new pest animals, manage the impact of those that are already established, and assist the cooperation between jurisdictions and agencies that is required to achieve these goals. The APAS also describes a series of principles, objectives and actions that are intended to deliver broad national outcomes congruent with these goals. The APAS document will soon be available at www.apas.net.au, together with further descriptions and links relating to rangeland and other pests.