MEDIA RELEASE

Hon Rob Kerin MP

Thursday June 1, 2000

RABBIT FARMING ALLOWED IN SA [South Australia]

South Australians are allowed to commercially farm domestic breeds of rabbits from today under new regulations introduced by the State Government.

The regulations allow the movement, keeping and sale of domestic breeds of rabbits for commercial production of meat, fur and fibre as well as the keeping of rabbits as pets. However, the keeping and sale of wild forms of rabbits will continue to be prohibited.

Deputy Premier Rob Kerin says the new regulations follow a review into the keeping and sale of rabbits by the Animal and Plant Control Commission.

"The review was a result of an increased interest in keeping and selling domestic breeds of rabbits for pets, commercial farming of domestic rabbits and a change in policy in other States which has removed the bans on rabbit farming", Mr. Kerin says.

"The review found that commercial farming of domestic breeds of rabbits no longer presents a significant risk to wild rabbit control programs."

"Commercial rabbit farming is a new livestock industry for South Australia and may provide new business and employment opportunities, particularly in regional areas."

Mr. Kerin says the collapse of the wild rabbit industry that occurred following the release of the rabbit calicivirus disease in Australia has created the opportunity for a farmed rabbit industry. In 1998-99 Australia produced more than 100 tonnes of rabbit meat for human consumption, with about three-quarters of production occurring in New South Wales.

It is projected that production of farmed rabbit meat in Australia will reach 692 tonnes by 2004-05, with an average rate of growth of 31 per cent a year with the majority of meat sold on the domestic market.

"The changes bring South Australia in line with similar changes in all other Sates and Territories, with the exception of Queensland."

"Any rabbit farming that takes place in South Australia will need to comply with a code of Practice which is administered by the RSPCA, and all new farms will need to seek planning approvals from local councils."

A Discussion Paper was released for comment last year and peak interest groups have been consulted.

Media Contact: Sascha Brooker 8303 2500 0418 806 710