15 November 2016
The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC) met on 15 November 2016. Key issues discussed by the committee are summarised below.
MERI Framework for the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper
IPAC endorsed the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement framework for the Established Pest Animals and Weeds measure under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.
National Carp Control Plan
The development of the National Carp Control Plan is being managed by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) with funds provided by the Australian Government. A national coordinator, Mr Matt Barwick, has been appointed and will commence in December 2016.
IPAC was advised that targeted stakeholder consultation on the National Carp Control Plan has commenced in the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia with several different groups contributing to the discussions.
RHDV2 Epidemiology in Australia
Following the discovery of RHDV2 in Australia, existing resources within the National Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) Monitoring Program were re-directed, and additional research funds were secured to address the immediate need to increase research efforts for RHDV2 diagnostic and epidemiology in the short term.
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Australian and state and territory governments are continuing to work closely to enable longer term monitoring of RHDV2 and other caliciviruses in the Australian environment.
Update on Australian Weeds Strategy and Australian Pest Animal Strategy Consultation
IPAC noted the public consultation process for the strategies closed on 14 October 2016. The final strategies are expected to be released in 2017.
IPAC Expert Groups
IPAC is supported by a number of groups who 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 the IPAC Expert Groups.
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.
Upcoming IPAC meetings
The next IPAC meeting (IPAC 8) will be hosted by the ACT Government in March 2017.
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.