Tasmanian Government Media Release - 2 October 2009
An independent review of Tasmania's Fox Eradication Program has provided important information to help increase the chance of success of Tasmania's fox eradication effort. The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment's Fox Eradication Program (FEP) has already begun planning based on recommendations in the report from internationally recognised invasive pest experts Landcare Research New Zealand. The review was part of the planned process of evaluation for the fox eradication effort and is already being used to help inform future planning for the eradication effort.
The FEP Management Committee has accepted the report as a basis for planning future activities and the Technical Advisory Panel has also been provided with the report to provide further advice on its recommendations. Based on the recommendations of the report, the FEP has begun planning to identify how recommendations on baiting, post baiting detection and follow-up could be best implemented.
Eradicating foxes from a landmass the size of Tasmania has not been achieved anywhere else in the world and we face a particularly challenging task in trying to eradicate what is a highly invasive pest while still in low numbers in the landscape. One of the key recommendations from the review is the continuation of the targeted 1080 fox baiting program in Tasmania. The review reinforces the importance of 1080 baiting as the foundation for a successful fox eradication program in Tasmania. It also recognises that the Program has been successful in developing critical tools needed for eradication success, including novel fox detection methods and DNA analysis technology.
The report emphasises the important role the community has to play in the eradication effort. Expert advice and innovative science are important to the eradication effort, but the support of the Tasmanian community will also be vital if we are to make the state fox free again.
For further information about the Fox Eradication Program visit the DPIPWE website http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/LBUN-5K438G?open