Exotic vertebrate animalsLegislative control of the entry, movement and keeping of exotic vertebrate animals in South AustraliaMark Williams, Animal and Plant Control Commission, South Australia Introduction The control of non-indigenous vertebrate animals (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) has been the subject of almost continuous review since 1977. This review process is conducted primarily by the Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC) at the request of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management (SCARM). Controls on the keeping and movement of exotic vertebrates already in Australia have been adopted by the States and Territories because of insufficient means under Commonwealth quarantine or environmental protection legislation. Australia is particularly susceptible to the establishment of exotic vertebrate populations because of its isolation from other lands over millions of years. In the two hundred years of European settlement, many species of exotic vertebrates have become established as a result of deliberate or accidental releases. The harmful effects of introduced animals such as rabbits, foxes, feral goats, starlings and sparrows cost many millions of dollars each year, and further millions are spent by landholders and government authorities in attempts to control these pests. These species cause immeasurable harm to the natural environment as well as to primary industry. These costs could have been avoided if the species had not established in the first place. While the efforts to control established pests continue, it is vital that the chances of new species becoming established are minimised. There are few examples worldwide, where mainland populations of an exotic species have been eradicated once they have become established. Although many species may be kept with little chance of them adding to Australia’s pest problems, it is recognised that the widespread keeping and movement of some species would pose an unacceptable risk of such animals being released, either accidentally or deliberately, and subsequently becoming established. Once established some of these species may cause significant damage to agriculture, the environment or public safety. Effective control over potential pests will be most effective if all States and Territories adopt a uniform system of controls. Provisions to control the keeping of exotic animals were introduced in South Australia under the Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986 in 1987 in accordance with national guidelines developed by VPC and endorsed by SCARM. The assessment of pest potential of exotic animals is currently undertaken by VPC following the completion of a scientific risk assessment conducted by an independent expert. VPC then provides a recommendation to Environment Australia (importation of exotic animals is controlled by Commonwealth legislation) in the case of the import of new exotic species or States and Territories for animals that are held in Australia. The recommendation is that the degree of restriction on each exotic vertebrate species must reflect the potential risk to agriculture or the environment or potential for harm to public safety posed by that species. The keeping of those animals with the greatest pest potential is restricted to the greatest extent. In this way, the chances of accidental or deliberate release of the most serious potential pests can be minimised. Risk Assessment The national Vertebrate Pests Committee has assessed the potential threat to agriculture, the environment and public safety of all exotic vertebrate animals legally kept in Australia. The pest potential of individual species and/or taxa are assessed against the following general criteria. (i) The potential damage that escaped individuals could cause. (ii) The probability that numbers sufficient to breed and survive would escape or be wilfully released from captivity. (iii) The probability of the successful eradication of escapees and their progeny. (iv) The probability that a species could establish a wild population if a sufficient breeding population escaped. (v) The potential damage that a population of progeny from escaped individuals could inflict. A decision model which outlines the Criteria for Assessment of Risk in more detail is contained in the publication “Importing and Keeping Exotic Vertebrates in Australia” (Bomford M, 1991). This model has been developed to assist VPC in the assessment of pest potential. Once the pest potential of species has been assessed VPC recommends the level of control that should be placed on it. The current national guidelines for entry, movement and keeping of exotic vertebrate animals and the risk assessment model (Bomford, M. 1991) are being reviewed by VPC. One of the possible options being considered is that the Commonwealth take a greater role for administering the risk assessment process. Risk Management In accordance with the risk management approach recommended by VPC the Animal and Plant Control Commission issues permits to allow the keeping of species prohibited under the Animal and Plant Control Act. Permits are issued on the basis of pest potential of a species and the ability of a permit holder to manage the risk associated with keeping that species. Species that have been assessed by VPC as having serious threat are restricted to statutory and private zoos where the risk of keeping these species is offset by a high level of community benefit and in the case of rare and endangered species for conservation purposes. The risk of keeping serious threat species is managed by ensuring that permits are only issued to facilities that demonstrate extremely high standards of physical security, staff expertise, housing and animal management, and can demonstrate long term financial and management planning. In accordance with VPC policy the minimum conditions required for statutory and private zoos keeping serious threat species are; (a) Premises (i) The facility must play a significant role in public education and conservation of rare or endangered species. This must be demonstrated by a long term plan for public education and species management. The facility must also demonstrate long term financial viability through the submission of a long term Business Plan. There must also be a contingency plan for the disposal of animals to other approved facilities should zoo be closed. (ii) Quality of housing and level of animal security must be high and conform with standards acceptable to VPC and in particular the Animal and Plant Control Commission. The facility must comply with any animal welfare Code of Practice relating to the keeping of zoo animals. (iii) Location of the premises must be suitable for security relevant to the species that is wherever possible, the surrounding area should be a hostile environment for the welfare of the species. (iv) The overall standard of management of the collection must be of a high level and must include detailed species management programs. (v) The premises must be available for inspection by authorities at any reasonable time. (b) Keepers (i) Must have demonstrated expertise with the species in question or similar species. Evidence of expertise in the form of written references from recognised reputable referees is required. (ii) No prior conviction under the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 or Quarantine Act 1908 or other relevant Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation. (c) Minimum Permit Conditions (i) Records of introductions, births, deaths and transfers, are to be kept, with stock returns being provided to the controlling authority on a regular basis to the Animal and Plant Control Commission as required. (ii) The Animal and Plant Control Commission must approve the system of carcass/egg disposal. (iii) The maximum number of specimens and the sex may be listed on the permit, taking into account security factors, fecundity, whether the species is endangered or rare, etc. The following types of permits are issued by the Animal and Plant Control Commission to facilities, which meet the requirements of the Animal and Plant Control Commission in accordance with this policy. A fee to cover the cost of administration of the permit will be set under Regulations to the Animal and Plant Control Act which is currently under review. There is moratorium on permit fees until such time as a fee is set by Regulation under the Animal and Plant Control Act. Type A Permit Type A permits are issued to persons to keep prohibited species who can demonstrate to the Animal and Plant Control Commission that the animal/s were legally held prior to the introduction of the Animal and Plant Control Act on July 1st 1987. These permits are only issued for the life of the animal/s described in the permit and cannot be transferred to any other person unless they hold a permit for that species issued by the Animal and Plant Control Commission. Type B Permit to keep animals in Statutory and Private Zoos Type B permits are issued to Statutory and Private Zoos to keep serious threat species. Type C Permit to keep animals for Scientific Research and Development Type C permits are issued to Recognised Scientific Research and Development Facilities approved by the Animal and Plant Control Commission for serious threat species that are to be used for genuine scientific research and development that has broad community benefit. Type D Permit to keep Class 3a animals in a Travelling Circus Type D permits are issued travelling circuses to keep serious threat species.. Type E Permit for Private or Commercial purposes Type E permits are issued to persons keeping moderate threat species for private or commercial purposes. Permit holders, unless they are also registered under the Quarantine Act may have their premises inspected annually to ensure that both the Official Record of Stock corresponds with the stock on hand and the conditions under which the permit was issued are being met. An official report on the inspection will be provided to the permit holder after the inspection. This will report will list any deficiencies found in regard to the conditions of the permit and will outline any steps require rectifying these. A time period will be set for any requirements to be met after which a subsequent inspection will be conducted. Continuing failure to meet the conditions of the permit may lead to the permit being varied or revoked by the Animal and Plant Control Commission. Facilities, which are holding imported exotic vertebrate animals (for the life of the animal), are registered under the Quarantine Act. The Animal and Plant Control Commission recognises that the primary control for the security of exotic animals in “Registered Premises” rests with AQIS. At this stage AQIS will continue to monitor these facilities to ensure that security is maintained. The Animal and Plant Control Commission will issue separate Type B permits to private zoos that are “Registered Premises” to ensure that they are meeting requirements under the Animal and Plant Control Act in addition to the Quarantine Act. However the Commission will not monitor these facilities separately to AQIS and no permit fee will be charged. Stakeholders Applications for new permits by private zoos and circuses will be considered by the Exotic Animals Advisory Committee (see appendix 1) which provides expert advice to the Commission on all matters relating to the keeping of exotic animals. The Committee will then provide a recommendation to the Animal and Plant Control Commission on whether the permit should be approved, rejected or whether more information is required. The Animal and Plant Control Commission has a strong working relationship with the key stakeholders in this State that are keeping serious threat species. The Adelaide Zoo, our three private zoos and our research facilities. We have received a high level of cooperation from these permit holders and as result the risks associated with the keeping of exotic animals are being well managed by these facilities. References: Jeans, K. (1991) Ed., Guidelines for the Control of Exotic Vertebrate Animals, SCA Technical Report Series - No.37, CSIRO Publications, Canberra 1991. Bomford, M. (1991) Importing and keeping exotic vertebrates in Australia. Criteria for the assessment of risk. Bureau of Resources Bulletin No. 12, Australian Publishing Service, Canberra. Appendix 1 Members of the Exotic Animals Advisory Committee (till July 1 2003) EXOTIC ANIMALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Ramsey, M., nominated by the Presiding Officer, Animal and Plant Control Commission, the Presiding Officer of the Advisory Committee. Alexander P., nominated by the CEO, Department for the Environment and Heritage. Koh, S., nominated by the Chief Quarantine Officer (Animals) for South Australia. Craig, M., nominated by the Director of the Adelaide Zoological Gardens. Williams, M.L., nominated by the Animal and Plant Control Commission Peters, M, Executive Director RSPCA. Return to conference overview « home |
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