The State Government is seeking views on the revised ‘List of declared animals’ and a ‘New and emerging introduced animals policy’, aimed at helping to reduce the risk of introduced animals becoming established in South Australia.

Pest animals declared under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, (NRM Act) are not native to Australia and can pose a risk to our environment, economy and social amenity.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the consultation, which opens today, aims to seek the public’s views on the management of non-established declared animals.

This includes high-risk animals that do not have wild populations in South Australia, such as red-whiskered bulbuls and the red-eared slider turtles, and animals that can be kept in captivity, and generally are not established in the wild, such as parrots and monkeys.

“We want to hear from members of the public about their views or concerns relating to the list of declared animals,” said Minister Speirs.

“Animals introduced into South Australia can impact our agriculture and forestry by damaging crops, plantation and livestock industries.

“Introduced animals can impact on native species and ecosystems through resource competition and predation. They can act as pathways and reservoirs for diseases and pose risks to public safety.

“At the same time, we are also asking for feedback on a policy on new and emerging introduced animals. The prevention, early detection and eradication of newly introduced animals are the most cost-effective methods to long term control of pest species.”

As part of the consultation, people are being asked for their views on the objectives of the policy:

• Regulate the movement and keeping of introduced animals to prevent incursions into the wild.
• Detect and eradicate incursions of new and emerging introduced animals.

To have your say, visit https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/declared-animals 

Written submissions are due by COB Friday 19 April 2019. Declared animals must be reported either to NRM Boards or the National Pest Alert Hotline, 1800 084 881.

The State Government is in the process of reviewing the NRM Act with plans to introduce the Landscape South Australia Bill into Parliament within the first quarter of 2019, to replace the NRM Act. The Landscape SA Bill will include provisions to transition policies approved under the NRM Act to be policies under the new Act.