Calicivirus Rollout Boosts Rabbit Control Efforts
The Tasmanian Government has begun rolling out calicivirus to expand rabbit control efforts across Tasmania.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said pest management experts have advised the conditions are now right for its release.
“Control of rabbits has been a challenge across many parts of the State over the past two years, particularly because of the unavailability of calicivirus nationally,” Minister Howlett said.
“The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has been working alongside local communities to help control an increase in rabbit numbers.
“Yesterday, trained Biosecurity Tasmania staff began the rolled out release of the biological control Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus – also known as calicivirus.
“It will be released around Exton, Westbury, Brighton, Pontville, Mangalore, Bagdad, Mole Creek and Deloraine, with other areas to follow.
“It has been important to wait for the right conditions to maximise the success of the release of the calicivirus.
“Releasing calicivirus at the wrong time can infect rabbits less than 12 weeks old which are naturally immune, and risks boosting immunity within rabbit populations longer-term.
“For a release to be as effective as possible, it is recommended that other control options are used in conjunction with calicivirus.
“An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is the most effective and cost-efficient method of containing wild rabbit populations.
“In the case of rabbits, an IPM requires the use of more than one control technique in rapid succession.
“NRE Tas is enabling more pest control businesses statewide to safely access and use Pindone, an anticoagulant product.
“If you are a pest controller wanting to add rabbit control to your commercial offerings, you can apply for a five-year Agricultural Spraying Permit to apply the poison at: Agricultural Spraying Permit.pdf. This means the potential for more access to control methods where these businesses operate across the State.
“Additional control options include warren and habitat removal, poisoning, fencing and shooting.
“The best time to use these methods this is in the late summer and early autumn when breeding has generally stopped because the grass the rabbits feed on has dried off.
“Successful rabbit control depends on a large degree of cooperation between landowners, local and state governments, and we appreciate the community cooperation.
“NRE Tas is working with local Councils and pest controllers to ensure they can access the tools available and are providing further communication and information to communities.”
https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/latest-news/2025/february/roll-out-of-calicivirus-to-ramp-up-rabbit-control-begins