For decades, Australia has relied on biological controls to manage rabbit populations, but the Invasive Species Council is warning these methods are becoming less effective.

The Council is now urgently calling on the federal government to invest in vital research to prevent a potential rabbit plague that could devastate our environment and agriculture.

CEO of the Invasive Species Council, Jack Gough, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, “We really need to be saying to Peter Dutton, to David Littleproud, to Anthony Albanese, Jim Chalmers, this is a federal election in a few days time that this needs to be a priority.”

“Why aren’t they funding the national pipeline for rabbit biocontrol, when we know the impact they have on native species, when we know the impact it has on agriculture and when it is really chicken feed in the context of the federal budget?”

“It’s not good enough for this not to be a national research priority regardless of who wins government,” Mr Gough continued.

Hear more highlights from Gary Hardgrave below: 

Image: Canva

Download this podcast here