1 August 2016
The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC) met on 1 August 2016. Key issues discussed by the committee are summarised below.
Established Pest Animals of National Significance
IPAC agreed to recommend to the National Biosecurity Committee, subject to further advice on the process and timelines, that wild dogs, European rabbits and European carp should be declared as Established Pest Animals of National Significance under Schedule 5 (National Management Framework for Established Pests and Diseases) of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity.
Recommendations for Long-Term Strategic Rabbit Control
IPAC noted the recommendations from the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC) for a long term rabbit biocontrol plan.
National Incursion Prevention and Response Strategy
IPAC noted the draft National Incursion Prevention and Response Strategy for potentially invasive animals and agreed to provide further comments on the strategy prior to public consultation on the draft.
National Incursion Response Plan for Terrestrial Snakes
IPAC endorsed the National Incursion Response Plan for Terrestrial Snakes.
Recommendations for Institutional Reform to Strengthen Community Led Action
IPAC noted the IACRC report, Recommendations for the reform of invasive management institutions, and its implications to strengthen the ‘shared responsibility’ approach. The committee also agreed to forward the report to the National Biosecurity Committee for consideration.
Standard Operating Procedures
IPAC agreed that the standard operating procedures for euthanasia of wild dog, fox and feral cats in traps (DOG001, DOG002, FOX005, CAT002, CAT003) should be updated. A change was agreed that firearms no smaller than a .17 calibre rimfire with hollow/soft point ammunition are recommended for euthanasia.
IPAC also agreed that the standard operating procedures for Pest Animal Management on the PestSmart Connect website be updated to replace the term ‘amateur shooter’ with ‘licenced shooter’.
Australian Weeds Strategy and Australian Pest Animal Strategy
IPAC approved drafts of the revised Australian Pest Animals Strategy and the Australian Weeds Strategy. It is expected that the strategies will be released for public consultation in September 2016.
IPAC Expert Groups
IPAC is supported by a number of groups to advise on technical matters. These include the Weeds of National Significance Expert Group, the Weed Incursion and Containment Expert Group, the Vertebrate Pests Incursions Expert Group, the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Expert Group, the Freshwater Fish Expert Group, the Established Pest Animals of National Significance Task Group and the E-Commerce Task Group.
The Committee noted updates on the activities of each of the IPAC Expert Groups. The updates included reviewing the Weeds of National Significance List and developing an Established Pest Animals of National Significance List.
Jurisdictional Updates
IPAC noted updates from the Australian Government, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia on various invasive plant and animal activities including funding initiatives, weed and pest animal control programs, implementation of new biosecurity legislation and research initiatives. New Zealand as an observer to IPAC, also provided an update on relevant activities.
Upcoming IPAC meetings
The next IPAC meeting (IPAC 7) will be a teleconference in mid-November 2016.
The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee is a sectoral committee of the National Biosecurity Committee (NBC).
The committee provides advice to the NBC on weeds, vertebrate pest animals (including freshwater fish) and freshwater invertebrate pests.
For further information about the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee you can visit the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.