A NEW more virulent strain of calicivirus from Korea, RHDV1 K5, will soon be released in the South West to help farmers and small landowners combat Australia’s ever increasing rabbit population.
The virus is being showcased around the country as part of the National Rabbit Control Roadshow which will be hosted by the Blackwood Biosecurity group in Bridgetown on Wednesday May 25.
A number of viruses have been released among the wild rabbit population over the years but have not always been very successful in temperate climates.
The Korean strain of the calicivirus is proving to be a more effective control method in the cooler South West climates.
Blackwood Biosecurity project officer Sheila Howat said it had been a long road to finding the right virus to control rabbits and the Expo will help landholders gain a better understanding of what they will need to do to assist.
“This new strain of calicivirus is the most humane method available to help manage the problems we have with wild rabbits and we really need community support to maximise the impact of this,” Mrs Howat said.
“Rabbits are Australia’s most costly pest animal, causing $206 million in losses each year to the agricultural industry.
“They compete with grazing stock for food, contribute to soil erosion, damage crops and destabilise the land. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to get on top of this problem.”
The new virus is awaiting final approvals but is likely to be rolled out nationally within a year.
The plan is to get the public to release the K5 virus and help monitor it before and after the release.
The roadshow is only in WA for three days with the Bridgetown Expo being the best opportunity for lower South West landowners to learn about the project.
The expo runs for the whole day and will be catered for. To register and for more information contact Sheila Howatt on 0475 774 558 or email projects@blackwoodbiosecurity.org.au.
