A new strain of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus is being released across the Central Tablelands this week to reduce the impact of wild rabbits on agriculture and the environment.
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Landholders, Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are working together to release the RHDV1 K5 virus across more than two hundred control sites in NSW.
This work is part of a national project to reduce wild rabbit numbers—a damaging pest species estimated to reduce Australia’s agricultural productivity by over $200 million each year. Wild rabbits also have a direct impact on 304 threatened species nationally.
This is the first time in 20 years that a new rabbit biocontrol agent is being released into Australia. However, RHDV1 K5 is not a new virus. It is a strain of the existing virus already widespread in Australia, commonly known as calicivirus.
Unlike previous biocontrol releases, the K5 strain will not result in a 90 per cent reduction of wild rabbit populations. Rather, it is expected to ‘boost’ current management and help slow down the increase in rabbit numbers.
Farmers should continue to manage wild rabbits on their land, said Tim Seears, team leader invasive species and plant health.
“We know that rabbit biocontrol is not a silver bullet solution and is most beneficial if applied as part of an integrated and complementary pest management approach,” Mr Seears said.
“We recommend landholders carry out follow-up control measures after the release of the virus. The release of the K5 virus offers a chance for a conversation with neighbours for coordinated rabbit control across the landscape.”
We recommend landholders carry out follow-up control measures after the release of the virus.
- Team leader invasive species and plant health, Tim Seears
Pet owners should contact a veterinarian for advice on how to protect their rabbits, with online information available from the Australian Veterinary Association www.ava.com.au/rabbit-calicivirus
The national release of RHDV1 K5 has been delivered through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, with major financial and in kind resources provided by the Australian and NSW governments, CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and Foundation for Rabbit Free Australia.
The release of RHDV1 K5 comes after more than 10 years of testing through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre RHD Boost project. To keep up to date with progress of the RHDV1 K5 release visit www.healthierlandscapes.org.au
