A Threatened Species Strategy was launched today (Thurs) by the Federal Government at the first ever Threatened Species Summit, held in Melbourne.
The strategy sets out targets to reverse the downward trajectories of Australia’s most endangered species. It also includes a new national feral cat plan.
Andrew Cox, Invasive Species Council CEO, reacts to the federal government’s announcement at the summit of a 2 million feral cat cull target:
“One of the more controversial directions of the feral cat plan is a 2020 target to cull 2 million cats across Australia. Scientists at the summit privately reacted with discomfort.
“There is no evidence-based rationale for such a target and it may prove to be counter-productive, just in the same way that the blanket 5% burn target for Victoria’s bushland misdirected effort and attention away from risk-reduction where it was most needed.
“While the threatened species strategy announced by the federal government today necessarily acts as a hospital treatment for those species fighting for their future, the strategy, barring the important work on feral cats, does little to address the big drivers, now and in the future.
“There was no resolve to deal with the full suite of invasive species, and with new waves of invasive species heading our way whatever survives feral cats will face further threats in the future.
“As the plant disease myrtle rust spreads across the country and government-promoted pasture grasses transform northern Australia, new invasive species are waiting in the wings.
“Our borders are porous, letting in a new generation of invasive species. While we are fighting off red imported fire ants, new ant colonies are arriving through our ports on a regular basis.
“A small investment in thorough environmental biosecurity will deliver decades of relief for our beleaguered native animals and plants.”
Mr Cox is attending the inaugural National Threatened Species Summit today, Thursday 16 July in Melbourne.
Andrew Cox, Invasive Species Council CEO
