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Date Posted: 16:37:38 12/23/03 Tue
Author: bunny
Subject: $30,000 fine now applicable for keeping rabbits in Qld

Pet Rabbits still illegal in Queensland

<a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/about/media/nov/27_rabbits_illegal.html">http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/about/media/nov/27_rabbits_illegal.html</a>

27 November 2003
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NR&M) has warned that the recent seizures of illegally kept rabbits in Queensland may result in prosecutions.

NR&M pest management strategy policy officer, Danielle Butcher, said rabbits were Australia’s most destructive introduced pest, costing between $600 million and $1 billion annually.

“They have a major adverse impact on the environment as a whole and Australia’s native flora and fauna,” Ms Butcher said.

“In Queensland alone, the control of rabbits is estimated to cost the sheep and cattle industries in excess of $2 million a year. Rabbits compete with native animals and are a primary cause of soil erosion,” she said.

Keeping pet rabbits in Queensland remains illegal under the new Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.

Ms Butcher said the maximum penalty for keeping a rabbit without a permit in Queensland had increased from $3750 to $30,000.

“Since the introduction of the new Act, NR&M’s compliance unit has been involved in a number of seizures which may result in prosecutions,” she said.

“Peak agricultural industry groups, local government associations, and environmental and conservation groups support the ban on keeping rabbits as pets.

“The new Act continues to recognise that wild rabbit plagues threaten the livelihood of many rural landholders, causing considerable losses to agricultural industries including grain and vegetable crops,” she said.

“Organisations and businesses may apply for a permit to keep domestic rabbits for scientific research, circuses and magic display purposes – however these permits have strict conditions.”

Ms Butcher said kindergartens and other educational institutions would no longer be permitted to keep domestic rabbits, and permits will not be issued for keeping rabbits as pets or for rabbit farming.

Permits to keep domestic rabbits for research, circuses or magic display purposes can be obtained from NR&M, and are valid for up to two years. Permits issued prior to 1 July 2003 are valid and continue to be effective until 31 December 2003.

For further information on rabbits in Queensland phone freecall 1800 999 367 or see the NR&M web site.

Further information contact Danielle Butcher 07 3405 5550 or Media Officer: Lisa Connors 07 3247 4610 or After Hours: Brett Davis 0422 802 296.

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