Codes of practice and standard operating procedures for humane invasive animal control
Project Leader: Trudy Sharp, Industry and Investment NSW
Aim: To systematically evaluate the humaneness of currently used invasive animal control techniques using a recently developed assessment model, and review and update the existing COPs and SOPs.
Projects: 9.d.7e
Project summary
When determining the most appropriate method for managing the impact of an invasive animal, several factors need to be considered. These include efficacy, cost-effectiveness, practicality, target specificity, operator safety, and also humaneness (or animal welfare impact).
A model has been developed to allow an assessment of humaneness using a systematic, comprehensive and transparent process that helps to generate consensus among diverse stakeholders. The next logical step is to use this model to assess the humaneness of existing control methods and make this information available to all those involved in invasive animal management. Additionally, the existing Codes of Practice (COPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the humane control of invasive animals, originally written in 2004-05, are being updated and a system is being implemented to allow periodic review and modification. It is proposed to publish these animal welfare documents on a suitable website and incorporate results into the pest animal control kits.
Thus, this project specifically aims to deliver:
- a systematic, comprehensive and accessible humaneness assessments of commonly used invasive animal control methods based on a nationally accepted ranking model
- review and modification of existing COPs and SOPs, establishment of a base for the documents on a suitable website and development of a system to allow periodic review.
It is anticipated that the information gained from the humaneness assessments could be used in a range of invasive animal management applications eg when drafting management plans, during crisis management situations, to support funding proposals, to identify unacceptable methods, to resolve issues where the humaneness of a technique is questioned. Additionally it is expected that access to current national COPs and SOPs will promote and encourage Australia-wide ‘best practice’ invasive animal management.
Key achievements
- The resulting COP and SOP documents are technically sound, well presented and widely accepted by the target audience. Pest animal practitioners are frequently referred to the COPs and SOPs, and several government agencies have made adherence to the documents a condition of funding or of their internal operations.
- All States and Territories have now agreed to the adoption of the COPS and to the phasing out of several techniques categorised in the codes as ‘unacceptable’.
- The model has been formally endorsed by the Vertebrate Pests Committee, the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy Wild Animals Working Group, DAFF and RSPCA Australia. It is currently under consideration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for incorporation in their product registration process.
Key deliverables
- Develop a strategy for review and modification of the current COPs and SOPs.
- Prepare draft code of practise and standard operating procedures for the humane control of cane toads, funded under the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.
Project partners
IA CRC, Industry and Investment NSW, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, RSPCA, University of Sydney, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts.
Further information
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/codes
Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures for humane pest animal control methods and research procedures.
Model standard operating procedures: for the humane research of pest animals in Australia. Natural Heritage Trust and NSW Department of Primary Industries.
For further information, contact us.
