Urban and peri-urban rabbit control field day

Are rabbits a problem in your garden or small land holding? Would you like to know more about best practice rabbit control in regional communities?

If it’s a yes to either question, then please join us at Horsham on Wednesday 11 March for a rabbit control field day.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager James Rowe said rabbits are Australia’s most costly vertebrate pest animal, causing more than $200 million in agricultural production losses each year.

“Research shows that less than a single rabbit per hectare can prevent the successful regeneration of native vegetation,” Mr Rowe said.

“These pests out-compete and displace other native animals by competeing for food, shelter and water resources.

“They cause detrimental effects to the landscape by spreading weeds and contributing to soil erosion, water degredation and loss of biodiversity.”

People living in and around Horsham, Warracknabeal, Natimuk are invited to a field day on rabbit control in urban and peri urban areas being run by Agriculture Victoria and supported by the Laharum and Natimuk Urban Landcare groups.

This field day will focus on

Control methods for best practice rabbit management
The identification of rabbit activity, burrows and preferred sites
Demonstrations and techniques on rabbit baiting, fumigation, vegetation manipulation and harbour removal
Up-to-date information on rabbit biological control and the latest information from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN)
How communities can collaborate and co-ordinate their efforts for integrated rabbit control
The legislative requirements when controlling rabbit populations.

Mr Rowe said everyone had a role to play in the protection of Victoria’s natural assets.

“By working together, government, industry and the community can reduce the impact of pest animals in Victoria.”