April 22, 2016
The national rollout of a new naturally occurring Korean strain of rabbit calicivirus, called RHDV1 K5, will begin later this year or early next year.
Land managers, farmers, and community groups have been invited get involved in the rollout by registering to be a monitoring or release site through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC) Pest Smart website
Expressions of interest close at the end of May.
Biosecurity Queensland says rabbits cost the Australian economy $200 million annually.
They cause severe land degradation and soil erosion and also threaten the survival of many rare and endangered species of native wildlife.
Biocontrol through myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has provided benefits to pastoral industries estimated at approximately $70 billion over 60 years, and resulted in marked recoveries of native flora and fauna.
However, the effectiveness of these viruses as a rabbit management tool is now waning due to rabbits building up a resistance to the diseases.
Research into different strains of RHDV was conducted through the IACRC.
Out of 38 known strains of RHDV1, a naturally occurring Korean strain, known as RHDV1 K5, has been selected as it is believed to be the most effective.
Approval for its release is currently being sought from the Federal Government.
The roll out of the RHDV1 K5 national program is likely to occur around Spring 2016 or Autumn 2017 at selected sites across Australia.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and other local government agents will be authorised to release RHDV1 K5 in Queensland.
- External link: Pest Smart website
- Related article: New Virus To Target Rabbits
