Introduction

Many introduced animals such as rabbits, foxes, feral goats, starlings and sparrows cost many millions of dollars each year due to the harm they do to the natural environment and to primary production. Horse properties are at risk of harm from these pest animals.

 

Their harmful effects include grazing and destruction of vegetation, damage to crops and pastures, preying on livestock, harm to native animals and their habitats, and indirect effects such as soil erosion and decline of water quality. The presence of pest animals can also reduce the value of land.
 

Rabbits for example can still cause a lot of damage even in low numbers. Rabbits are still a majjor concern despite the impacts of the rabbit calicivirus disease. Foxes and cats are considered to be majjor threats to biodiversity within the Mt Lofty Ranges through their impact on native animals.

 

Under the Natural Resources Management Act (which replaces the Animal and Plant Control Act), rabbits, foxes, feral goats and deer are declared (proclaimed) pest animals in South Australia. Property owners have responsibilities to control pest animals.
 

Horse owners in other States will need to check with their local authorities in relation to what are pest animals in their areas.
 

Steps to achieve best practice

A suggested checklist for action is:-

• Find out what pest animals are known to occur in your district, and which of these you should be prepared to control on your property. Your local Council or Natural Resources Management Board should be able to give you this information.
• Keep an eye out for and identify any pest animals on your property, including signs of their presence.
• Find out from your local Council or Natural Resources Management Board the recommended methods and strategies for controlling any pest animals on your property, which will depend on your property location (e.g. properties near urban areas may need different strategies to rural areas).
• Carry out the recommended pest animal control strategies for each type of pest animal that applies to your property. This may mean doing particular measures at specific times of the year, or at times when pest animal numbers reach a certain level.
• Regularly monitor pest animal activity, and modify your control programs accordingly.

Links

• Natural Resources Management Boards, including fact sheets, e.g. www.mlrapcb.net
• Legislation: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/legislation.html or www.parliament.sa.gov.au
• A Legal guide for South Australian primary producers - SA Law Society, available from PIRSA offices, Natural Resource Centres (but note some legislation referred to is now superseded)
• General information on pest animals in Australia: www.affa.gov.au