CSIRO has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Primary Industries, Mr John Anderson, that rabbit calicivirus has been officially declared a biological control agent.

Its release will be the culmination of a major research effort that began with a CSIRO report in 1989, and went on to intensive field work and a program of virology testing, said CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Malcolm McIntosh.

"For an investment of just under $4 million by the Australian and New Zealand governments, industries and communities, we will reap a benefit to Australian agriculture of up to $600 million annually, not to mention the benefit to our native plants and animals," said Dr McIntosh.

Landholders have a unique opportunity to capitalise on rabbit calicivirus disease by ripping warrens once the disease has affected an area. Effective warren ripping prevents rabbits recolonising from areas nearby that are unaffected by the disease.

Dr McIntosh said that strategic use of the rabbit calicivirus will maximise the impact of the disease. CSIRO researchers will be collaborating with state Government officers to monitor the spread of the disease and its impact on agriculture and flora and fauna.

"We lost a good chance with myxomatosis and now we have another chance with the release of rabbit calicivirus disease," said Dr McIntosh. "It must be used strategically and as part of an integrated rabbit control program."

"If we fail to do this, the rabbits will be back. We may never have another opportunity like those given by the release of myxomatosis in 1950 and rabbit calicivirus now," said Dr McIntosh. "The cost of rabbits is too high to let this happen."

Economic studies have shown that rabbits cause $600 million damage annually to Australian agriculture, but Dr McIntosh says the big winners from the release of rabbit calicivirus will be native plants and animals in our fragile rangelands.

More information from: Ms Robyn Turner 06-242 1645 or Julian Cribb 06-276 6244