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Farewell from Tracey Lianos
Next week we bid goodbye to IA CRC Communications manager, Tracey Lianos. She has only been with us for a short time, but her departure will leave a gap in the organisation and we will miss her. Tracey’s message is below:
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Well, my time with the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre was short and sweet, and so my farewell will be too! I have only been with the CRC for four months, but I have had a great time working on things like producing a DVD on the CRC’s fantastic rabbit projects, attending the 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference in Sydney and learning about all things feral. It was great to be involved in such an important area of work. I only hope that the CRC Funding Round 14 results reflect my thoughts and those of thousands of others across Australia. |
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Of course, there are some stories to be told (Mike…Tony B…), great memories to look back on and new friends to keep in touch with. I have also been lucky enough to work with a fabulous group of people who are not only feral experts, but funny, witty and sometimes a little crazy!
I will be moving back to the federal government agency, Safe Work Australia, where I have worked in the past and will be working on all things corporate and operational. Being married to an Italian, I can say, “I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse…”
I wish all the CRC staff around Australia the best of luck in the next 12 months and I will be subscribing to Feral Flyer to get all the news!
We wish Tracey all the best and hope she keeps in touch!
Funding under the Australian Pest Animal Research Program – APARP
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Applications are invited from local and state government agencies, incorporated community groups and research organisations for funding under round 3 of the Australian Pest Animal Research Program (APARP). APARP funds research and extension projects that develop and promote improved monitoring and control techniques to reduce the agricultural impacts of pest animals. Grants of $10 000 to $100 000 per year over a 1–2 year period are available for individual projects and there is an expectation of significant in-kind and/or direct support from applicants. |
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To discuss your project idea and obtain the application proforma, please contact Stef McCowen on (02) 6272 4061 (email: Stefanie.McCowen@abares.gov.au). If your project is suitable you will be invited to submit a 2–4 page application by Friday, 26 August 2011 for assessment. Successful proposals are expected to commence in early 2012.
Projects must have nationally applicable outcomes and be aligned with the Australian Pest Animal Strategy and/or Caring for our Country targets. Support will not be provided for routine pest animal management activities where benefits are limited to particular regions.
APARP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
More information: http://www.abares.gov.au/
Unregistered chemical use not worth the risk
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A trend towards increasing use of agricultural chemicals not registered for a particular application, has prompted a warning from professional group, Ag Institute Australia. |
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The plan ‘provides a national strategy to guide the investment and effort by the Australian Government, jurisdictions, research organisations and non-government organisations in abating the impacts of cane toads across their known and anticipated range’.
“There is evidence to suggest that the practice is happening in Australia among a small number of consultants advising farmer clients, especially in cropping,” said Institute Acting President Geoff Thomas. “This is an illegal practice which is simply not worth the risk.”
Ag Institute Australia, formerly known as the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, has a network of members working across the spectrum in all States.
There are particular chemicals being recommended for non-registered uses, mainly to reduce costs. In spraying crops such as Clearfield canola, the saving can be as much as $15 to $20 a hectare. The use of non registered products for mice control this season is another example.
Mr Thomas said the practice was also being driven by frustration with a shortage of registered products in the relatively small Australian market. “This is particularly so with minor crops, many found in the horticultural sector,” Mr Thomas said. “Consultants who might be tempted to recommend a non-registered use need to carefully consider the consequences. Not only is it unethical behavior, but the adviser is left open to legal action from the Government regulatory body, the client who took the advice and even the company supplying the product.”
Mr Thomas said it could also lead to professional indemnity insurance cover being declared null and void. “Our advice is to stick strictly to the registered uses listed on the product label,” Mr Thomas said.
More information: contact Geoff Thomas, Ag Institute Australia on 0409 781 469.
Ag Institute Australia website: http://www.aiast.com.au/.
QLD Biosecurity Bill exposure draft released
QLD Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin has released the proposed landmark biosecurity legislation for public comment.
“The exposure Biosecurity Bill 2011 will be the most significant piece of biosecurity-related legislation introduced in Queensland’s history,” Mr Mulherin said. “It aims to modernise legislation to provide a cohesive, flexible tool to respond to both current and future biosecurity challenges”.
“It will also aid in securing Queensland’s national and international reputation in biosecurity standards. Currently, biosecurity in Queensland is regulated by seven separate Acts, part of another Act and subordinate legislation.
The exposure Bill delivers a major reform to the current regulatory framework and a significant reduction in red tape. A single piece of legislation in Queensland will provide uniformity and clarity with one approach to biosecurity issues which applies to everybody.
“For the first time in Queensland, biosecurity legislation will clearly address biosecurity risks to production, human health, environment and the economy. The exposure Bill incorporates shared responsibility, risk based assessment, prevention and management of issues.”
Mr Mulherin said the exposure Biosecurity Bill will continue to provide significant powers to deal with emergency situations. “The exposure Bill proposes to introduce stronger penalties for biosecurity-related offences to ensure the penalty corresponds to relevant community expectation and the offence.
“I strongly encourage interested parties to read and provide their feedback on the draft legislation by COB 19 August 2011.”
The Biosecurity Bill is a key initiative under the $3.5 million Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2009–14 and is proposed to be introduced into Parliament later this year.
Links:
- Download draft Biosecurity Bill at: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_biosecurity-bill.htm
- Minister’s media release
4th International Wildlife Management Congress
Durban, South Africa, 9-12 July 2012
This is the first time the Congress will be held in Africa. The first three Congresses were held in Costa Rica, Hungary, and New Zealand in 1993, 1999, and 2003, respectively.
The theme of this congress is Cooperative Wildlife Management across Borders: Learning in the Face of Change. Sub-themes will include: Human dimensions of wildlife management and conservation; Professional development and training; Climate change; Wildlife health and disease; Wildlife population management; Endangered species recovery; Invasive species; Trans-border cooperation and conservation; Utilization; Habitat restoration, modification and stewardship.
The Wildlife Society and its partners hope to attract more than 1,000 delegates from around the globe to attend. The goals of the 4th IWMC are to provide increased capacity for participants to integrate global needs into their work, continue to develop and expand global networks, experience wildlife management in Southern Africa, raise awareness for wildlife management legacy programs, and raise the profile of wildlife management globally.
More information: The Wildlife Society website.
New Publications
Reports
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Economic Analysis of the National Wild Dog Facilitator Project. The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC), together with a number of partners, has been funding a project to facilitate the strategic management of wild dogs in Australia. The facilitator model that this project has adopted is proving to be effective in limiting the impact of wild dogs. The purpose of this economic analysis is to demonstrate the value of such a facilitated approach. An economic analysis was carried out on the expected returns to an assumed investment in the project from July 2012 to June 2016 (4 years). The analysis found that the expected return was 8.6 to 1 when benefits are measured over 15 |
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See: http://www.feral.org.au/economic-analysis-national-wild-dog-facilitator/
Scientific Papers
David Algar, Stefanie Hilmer, Don Nickels, Audrey Nickels (2011). Successful domestic cat neutering: first step towards eradicating cats on Christmas Island for wildlife protection. Ecological Management & Restoration, 12(2): 93-101. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00594.x
Frances Cory, Andrea Wilson, David Priddel, Nicholas Carlile, Nick Klomp. (2011). Eradication of the House Mouse (Mus musculus) from Montague Island, New South Wales, Australia. Ecological Management & Restoration, 12(2): 102-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00583.x
Other Articles
Bill Hamrick, Tyler Campbell, Billy Higginbotham and Steve Lapidge. (2011). Managing an Invasion – effective measures to control wild pigs. The Wildlife Professional, Summer 2011. pp41-42. The Wildlife Society.
Media round-up
Floods created wild dog problem
Australian sheep and wool producers say feral dogs are killing their lucrative industry. [ More ]
Coalition Government committed to wild dog control
Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh has confirmed the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to enforcing stronger measures to control wild dogs, which continue to have a significant economic impact on rural property holders. [ More ]
Wild Dog funding protects the nation’s flock
Local woolgrower groups are taking action to protect their sheep flocks against wild dogs. [ More ]
Battle against wild dogs continues in Victoria and western NSW
For the first time, farmers in Victoria are being trained to use and set baits to kill wild dogs. [ More ]
Growers snub new mouse bait
FARMERS have snubbed Animal Control Technologies’ new bait. [ More ]
Wildlife expert wins prestige award
LOCAL wildlife expert Paul Meek is the toast of Coffs Harbour after winning a prestigious Churchill Fellowship. [ More ]
Wild dog baiting program in Myall Lakes and Booti Booti
FERAL dogs and foxes are being targeted by a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) baiting program in Myall Lakes and Booti Booti national parks from July 18 to August 31. [ More ]
Wild Dog fence funding in question unless dog numbers can be reduced
The state agriculture minister says the pastoral industry has until 2016 to get rid of wild dogs within the wild dog barrier fence. [ More ]
Researcher says fox bounties not necessarily effective
With plenty of food and habitat, the fox is thriving in NSW, and is a serious threat to wildlife and livestock, ahead of the spring lambing season. [ More ]
Best fox season in twenty years?
With plenty of food and habitat the normally shy creature is being spotted, dead and alive on roads, farms and in town. [ More ]
IA CRC in the news
A selection of current media articles directly related to the IA CRC is available here. You can subscribe to receive updates directly to your email inbox or mobile phone, or save as a favourite page in your web browser and view at your convenience. This feed can also be provided to third parties without the risk of copyright breach.
Upcoming conferences
For more information on these and other events, please see details on our website.
2011
- National Bestprac Forum. Hawker, South Australia. 11-12 August.
- 6th Annual Society for Risk Analysis Conference, Brisbane, QLD. 26-28 September.
- 8th European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference. Berlin, Germany 26-30 September.
- 38th Natural Areas Conference: Adaptation and protection of biodiversity in a changing world. Tallahassee, Florida, USA, 1-4 November 2011.
- HWCC Conflict training: Analyzing and Transforming Conflict to Create Sustainable Solutions for People and Wildlife. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Big Island, Hawaii, 1-4 November.
- 18th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. The Big Island, Hawaii 5-10 November.
- Ecological Society of Australia annual conference. Hobart, Tasmania. 21-25 November.
- Biolief: Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning. Mar del Plata, Argentina, 21-24 November.
- International Congress for Conservation Biology. Auckland, New Zealand 5-9 December.
2012
- 25th Vertebrate Pest Conference (USA). Monterey, California. 5-8 March
- 4th International Wildlife Management Congress. Durban, South Africa. 9-12 July
- 3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology. Glasgow, Scotland. 28 Aug-1 Sept
- Fertility Control Conference. Jackson Wyoming, USA. 29 Aug-1 Sept
