TasFarmers, Media Release, 3 March 2025

Tasmania’s peak body for primary producers, Tasfarmers is welcoming news the calicivirus is being released into populations of wild rabbits across the state to control their overpopulation.

TasFarmers CEO, Nathan Calman said, TasFarmers is acutely aware of the issue faced by primary producers over the last two years by rabbits which are obviously in plague proportions across the state.

“We strongly support the news that the state government will be releasing calicivirus as a tool to manage the populations within the state within the state,” Mr Calman said.

“And whilst we understand the timing for release needs managing, this really can’t have come soon enough for primary producers.

“It will have a significant impact on the rabbit population while there is low alternate feed, we’d expect this to lead to a higher update and spread of the virus, but is only one tool in the toolbox that producers have to manage rabbit populations.

“TasFarmers will continue to call for reforms for the use of suppressors to be made available for primary producers for property protection purposes. Producers must have other options when the calicivirus can’t be released.

On behalf of members, Tasfarmers has been a strong advocate for managing rabbit populations and farmers having access to the proper tools. Without tools like suppressors, the ability to manage biosecurity risk on farms is incredibly limited.

“We’ve been able to raise the current issue with decision-makers and we remain firmly of the view that invasive species, be they rabbit, deer or even European wasp have a negative impact on primary producers and the state’s environment.

“Governments of all colours need to support producers in protecting their properties,” said Mr Calman.