Draft varied threat abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits
Rabbits are one of the most serious and costly vertebrate pests in Australia. They are recognised as a potential threat over 300 threatened species (15 birds, 20 mammals, 6 reptiles, 1 invertebrate, 1 fish, 1 amphibian and 260 plant species) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. 
As rabbits are so widely established and abundant in Australia, and given the current resources and techniques available, the focus of management is generally on abating their impacts rather than eradication. However, eradication may be achievable in isolated areas such as small reserves, exclosures, and offshore islands.
The draft varied threat abatement plan provides a national strategy to identify activities to abate the threat and guide investment and effort by the Australian Government, jurisdictions, research organisations and non-government organisations in managing the impacts of rabbits on native species. The goal of this threat abatement plan is to minimise the impact of rabbits on biodiversity in Australia and its territories by:
- Protecting affected threatened species; and
- Preventing further species and ecological communities from becoming threatened.
Public consultation
The Minister for the Environment has released the draft varied Threat abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits for public comment. The public comment period closes on 16 March 2016. Also released is an associated background document.
