Report shows pests continue to cost our agricultural industries

by S. C.

A report shows pests continue to have a major economic impact on our agricultural industries, with the cost of rabbits alone almost doubling in five years to an estimated $206 million annually.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today launched the report, “The economic impacts of vertebrate pests in Australia” produced by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

The report found six pest species – rabbits, wild dogs, mice, foxes, feral pigs and pest birds cost agriculture an estimated $620.8 million in losses per year.

It found the total cost to the state and federal governments and landholders jumped to more than $740 million per year, when management, research and other costs were included.

According to the report, rabbits caused the most significant agricultural damage of any single pest species, costing $206 million annually.

The first 24 rabbits were reportedly introduced into Australia at a Geelong farm in 1859, for hunting.

One pair of rabbits can multiply to nearly 200 in 18 months and by the 1920s, there were an estimated 10 billion rabbits in Australia.

They are primarily an issue in dry areas, such as Broken Hill in NSW, but are emerging in more temperate regions such as the Blue Mountains as they develop resistance to the calicivirus.

In June this year, the Rudd Government committed $1.5 million to the Invasive Animals CRC, under Caring for our Country, to help develop a new strain of the calicivirus.

Mr Burke said better pest management was an investment in the future of our agricultural industries.

“Feral pests are not an irritation, they sabotage farm businesses,” Mr Burke said.

“The size of our continent is often our greatest asset, but when it comes to pests, the enormity of the landmass is our biggest challenge.

“Every investment in eradicating pests makes farmers’ lives easier, improves the environment and is a direct investment in our national economy.”

Key findings from the report include:

- Rabbits account for the most significant economic loss ($206 million annually), followed by wild dogs ($48.53 annually) and foxes ($21.15 annually)
- Birds cause the most damage to the wine and grape, pome fruit, stone fruit and nut industries, worth $313.1 million in damage annually
- Mice affect crops and farms such as poultry and piggery enterprises – damaging farm equipment, machinery, cars, household items and building insulation

In June this year, the Rudd Government announced $57.5 million for 57 feral animal control projects across Australia under Caring for our Country, including:

- $1.5 million to the Invasive Animals CRC for better rabbit control
- Rodent eradication programs on eight of Australia’s small islands
- More than 600 community volunteer days of cane toad control
- $19 million to help address the problem of feral camels in Australia’s arid and semi-arid environments