Vertebrate Pests
Many introduced and native animals, turned pests, have established large populations across Australia. Pest animals are normally controlled because they impact on agriculture and the environment. Often the extent of feral populations means that eradication is not feasible.
Pest management is primarily the responsibility of the states and territories but the Australian Government plays a role in coordinating pest animal management through the Vertebrate Pest Committee, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and the Australian Pest Animal Management Program.
Vertebrate Pests Committee
The Australian Government, the Australian states and territories, CSIRO and New Zealand are members of the VPC which provides coordinated policy and planning solutions to pest animal issues. The VPC developed the Australian Pest Animal Strategy.
The VPC also operates technical working groups that include the National Cane Toad Working Group and the Animal Welfare Working Group. The committee works with the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre to develop pest animal-related categories to measure the extent and impact of invasive species.
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre aims to counteract the impact of invasive animals through the new technologies and through cooperation across agencies and jurisdictions. The centre is a partnership between industry, environmental, commercial and government agencies.
Australian Pest Animal Program
The Australian Pest Animal Management Program was established under Caring for our Country and is managed by the Bureau of Rural Sciences. It was established to reduce the damage to agriculture caused by pest animals.
A free website the Pest Portal provides information on current and past research to help in making management decisions.