A Guide for the Control over the Possession, Trade and Movement of Declared Pest Animals

Note Number: LC0303
Published: June 1998
Updated: August 2009

 

On the 13 February 1997, declarations within the provisions of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 came into effect which classified exotic/pet animals into specific categories depending on the threat that particular types of animals pose primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health.

The need for control

One of the main objectives of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CALP Act) is to protect primary production, Crown land, the environment and community health from the effects of pest animals. Over millions of years of isolation Australian ecosystems have developed complex and unique inter-relationships. The introduction of exotic species into these ecosystems has had major impacts. In the two hundred years since European settlement, many species of pest animals have become established due to deliberate or accidental releases.

The harmful effects of animals such as rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, feral goats and feral pigs cost many millions of dollars each year in lost production and degradation of the environment. Further millions are spent by landholders and government authorities in attempts to minimise the impacts of these pests. These costs could have been avoided if the species had not been introduced in the first place.

New pest animal species

Whilst the efforts to control established pest animals continue, it is vital that the any opportunity of a new species becoming established is minimised. There are many pest animal species which pose an unacceptable risk due to their ability to adapt to Australian environmental conditions, and their breeding capacity. Their accidental or deliberate release could subsequently cause significant environmental and economic damage as well as threatening public health and safety. These species, such as most non-indigenous rat, mice and squirrel species, mongooses, stoats and weasels, are prohibited in Australia.

The National Vertebrate Pests Committee

The primary guidance for the classification process was the categorisation used by the Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC) of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management. This Committee is responsible for ensuring national standards for the control of the entry, movement and keeping of non-indigenous vertebrate species in Australia. VPC is comprised of representatives from each state and territory (the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in Victoria) as well as a number of Commonwealth agencies.

Declaration of pest animals

Section 58 (1)(b) of the CALP Act provides that, upon the Minister's recommendation, the Governor in Council may, by Order published in the Government Gazette, declare any animal to be either a Prohibited Pest Animal, a Controlled Pest Animal, a Regulated Pest Animal or an Established Pest Animal for the whole or any part of Victoria specified in the Order.

In the Victorian Government Gazette Number 6 on 13 February 1997, an order was published declaring the species under their respective category.

The declaration only included mammal, reptile and amphibian species not indigenous to Australia, with the exception of the dingo and its hybrids. The declaration does not include any birds.

Pest animal categories

Category 1 - Prohibited Pest Animals

Declared Prohibited Pest Animals are those that:

i) did not occur naturally in the wild in Australia before European settlement; and

ii) either-

(a) are a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in a place outside Victoria; or

(b) for which the potential to threaten primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria is unknown; and

iii) the importation, keeping and sale of those animals should be banned.

A listing of the Category 1 species can be found in Appendix 1

 

Category 2 - Controlled Pest Animals

Declared Controlled pest animals are those that:

i) did not occur naturally in the wild in Australia before European settlement; and

ii) have a high potential to become a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria; and

iii) should only be kept in high security collections approved by the Minister.

The DSE has deemed that the relevant collections will only be statutory zoos ( Melbourne and its annexes at Werribee and Healesville), those recognised by the Vertebrate Pests Committee as having Approved Collections Status and those approved by the Minister. These can include research and education institutions.

A listing of the Category 2 species can be found in Appendix 2

 

Category 3 - Regulated Pest Animals

Declared Regulated Pest Animals are those that:

i) did not occur naturally in the wild in Australia before European settlement; and

ii) are, or have the potential to become, a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria; and

iii) should only be kept in collections or at premises approved by the Minister.

DSE has divided Regulated Pest Animals into two types:

3a) Pest animals that may only be kept at statutory zoos, circuses, wildlife parks or B class zoos licensed under the Wildlife Act or at approved research and education institutions.

3b) Pest animals that can be kept privately. The only species are Indian Antelope (Blackbuck), Bali Cattle, American Bison, Water Buffalo and Guanaco.

A listing of the Category 3 species can be found in Appendix 3

 

Category 4 - Established Pest Animals

Declared Established Pest Animals are those that:

i) are established in the wild in Victoria; and

ii) are a serious threat to primary production, Crown Land, the environment or community health in Victoria; and

iii) should be eradicated or controlled or their spread in the wild should be prevented.

A listing of the Category 4 species can be found in Appendix 4

Pest animal permits

While the importation and keeping of certain species is prohibited DSE recognise that the possession, movement and trade of some pest animal species can be conducted in a manner that minimises the threat they pose.

Subsequently, DSE may issue permits to keep declared pest animals. It is an offence to keep these species without an appropriate permit issued under the CALP Act by the Secretary to the Department of Sustainability and Environment.. Non-indigenous animals such as livestock, domestic pets and species that do not pose any threat are not subject to the CALP Act.

While DSE is responsible for the CaLP Act, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) administers the Pest Animal Permit System on behalf of DSE.

 Permit Types & Fees

The following permit types have been provided to enable the keeping of specific pest animals:

 [i] Pest Animal Research/ Education Permit

Applicable to universities and other appropriate institutions for research and educational purposes which are registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Applies to all categories of pest animals. Category 1 - Prohibited Pest Animals can only be held by VPC Approved Scientific Institutions.

Application and annual renewal fee $50.

 [ii] Pest Animal - Approved Collections (Zoo) Permit#

Applicable to:

• "B" class zoos and wildlife parks to keep and display Controlled Pest Animals* and Regulated Pest Animals: and
• Approved Collections Status must be granted to keep and display Controlled Pest Animals.

Application and annual renewal fee $650.

# In reference to exotic animals, this permit replaces a Zoo Licence issued in conjunction with a Commercial Wildlife (Wildlife Displayer) Permit under the Wildlife Act.

 [iii] Pest Animal - Approved Collections (Animal Exhibition) Permit*

Applicable to circuses, sideshows or traveling shows of any kind to keep and display specific Controlled Pest Animals and Regulated Pest Animals. Approved Collections Status must be granted to keep and display Controlled Pest Animals.

Application and annual renewal fee $300.

* In reference to exotic animals, this permit replaces an Animal Exhibition Licence issued in conjunction with a Commercial Wildlife (Wildlife Demonstrator) Permit under the Wildlife Act.

[iv] Pest Animal Private Collections Permit

Applicable to the commercial use of Indian Antelope (Blackbuck), Bali Cattle, American Bison, Water Buffalo and Guanaco.(These are all Category 3b - Regulated Pest Animals).

Application and annual renewal fee $50.

[v] Pest Animal Special Collections Permit

Applicable to persons who at the time of the declaration of the Pest Animal Classifications held (and continue to hold) declared pest animal species.

The keeping of these species may be subject to specific conditions.

Application and annual renewal fee $80.

[vi] Pest Animal Established Collections Permit

To keep Established Pest Animals (Category 4 excluding) dingoes.

Application and annual renewal fee $80.

The following permits relate to Dingoes.

[vii] Dingo (Neutered) Permit

To keep neutered adult animals

Application and annual renewal fee $50*.

[viii] Dingo (Commercial) Permit

To keep entire adult animals for commercial purposes (adult defined as one that is over nine months of age).

Application and annual renewal fee $80*.

[ix] Dingo (Display) Permit

To keep dingoes for displaying them to the public

Application and annual renewal fee $120*.

* The fee for a dingo permit is waived if the applicant can demonstrate that they are a member of a canine association that has a documented code of ethics for dingoes.

Import and export of pest animals

The importation or exportation of pest animals into and out of Victoria will not be considered by the DPI until it has received authorisation from the relevant State or Territory under which the animal is held or is to be sent. The obtaining of this authorisation is the responsibility of the permit holder.

Species recategorisation

Persons wishing to keep Prohibited, Controlled or Regulated Pest Animal species may do so if those species can be shown to be of lower pest potential than their current category implies.

The VPC, via state authorities, accepts applications for recategorisation if applicants can supply appropriate evidence. Application forms are available from DSE. Each VPC member organisation must approve of the proposed recategorisation before it can be ratified.

Permit conditions

There are certain conditions, limitations and restrictions that apply to the keeping of a pest animal.

• A person who is currently holding or seeks to hold any species listed in the Appendices must apply for a permit to legally keep the species in Victoria.
• Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There will be no blanket approval to keep any species.
• A person cannot bring into Victoria, keep, move or sell a declared pest animal unless having first obtained a permit issued by DSE.
• All permits are renewable on an annual basis (1 July), at the prescribed application/renewal fee. It is the permit holders responsibility to ensure their permit remains current.
• Please ensure you have the right permit for the pest animal(s) you wish to keep. DPI must be notified of any additional species which are proposed to be held under an existing permit.
• Permits will not be issued to persons under 10 years of age and, applicants between the ages of 10 and 18 must provide the written and signed consent of their parent or legal guardian.
• Any pest animal species being held under permit must remain at the specified premises on the permit unless going to or returning from a veterinarian or from legal purchaser.
• If any details on a permit are incorrect or they change (e.g. change of address, name etc.), you must return the permit to the address listed below for amendment and include a note clearly stating the changes involved.
• Permits will only be issued to one person, that is, in one name.
• Permits are not transferable.
• In addition to compliance with the conditions of a pest animal permit issued under the provisions of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, a permit holder must comply with any relevant State or Federal legislation, Local Laws or any other requirements of the local government body.

Procedures for permit applications

1) DPI will provide information about the pest status of the species, the relevant conditions on its keeping and the application form/s.

2) The relevant local government body and other agencies may need to be informed of any proposal prior to the granting of permits. This is the applicants responsibility. Contravention of any other laws would make a permit invalid.

3) Applicants should complete the form/s, together with site plans and/or fencing specifications or enclosure dimensions, and forward these to:

Pest Animal Permit Administration Officer

PO Box 124 Benalla Victoria 3672

4) DPI will evaluate the application. The applicant will then be advised if the application is approved or not, or if any additional information is required.

5) A permit will only be issued once DPI is satisfied that all requirements have been met. Permits comprise the permit certificate and conditions that apply to the permit type and species concerned.

Record keeping & reports

DPI requires permit holders to maintain records to assist in monitoring pest animal possession and trade. This helps to guard against illegal exploitation of species and allows DPI to take action in response to disease. Record keeping requirements are:

• Permit holders must maintain accurate and up-to-date records in a book. Transactions must be recorded immediately following their completion. It is the permit holders responsibility to obtain and record all relevant information from any persons with whom they deal in exotic animal species.
• Failure to keep accurate and up-to date records is an offence under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
• Records must be kept in a safe place and are a permanent record of all transactions involving exotic animal species. Pages may not be removed from the record book.
• Permit holders must submit annual reports. The information in these reports is used by DPI to gain statewide overviews of pest animal possession and trade, which can be used to develop management programs as required.
• Reports must be submitted on the appropriate form at the times specified in the permit.

Acknowledgement

This Information Note was originally developed by Ross Williamson.

It was reviewed by:

Ross Williamson, June 1998.

Stuart Lardner DPI & Keith Larner DSE, March 2007.

Keith Larner DSE, August 2009.

Appendices - Pest Animal Categories