Review of the management of feral animals and their impact on ...

territory <strong>and</strong> Australian government Ministers requesting comment. A species will be
added to <strong>the</strong> live import list only when <strong>the</strong> Minister is satisfied that it will not <strong>impact</strong>
on <strong>the</strong> Australian environment. The importation <strong>of</strong> potentially invasive species is not
just constrained by <strong>the</strong> EPBC Act, but also o<strong>the</strong>r Acts, principally <strong>the</strong> Quarantine Act.
EPBC Regulations may also regulate or prohibit trade in members <strong>of</strong> species between
States <strong>and</strong> territories, <strong>and</strong> by constitutional corporations.
Quarantine Act 1908
The Quarantine Act provides for <strong>the</strong> responsibility <strong>of</strong> pre-border <strong>and</strong> border
monitoring, detection <strong>and</strong> control arrangement in respect <strong>of</strong> humans, <strong>animals</strong> <strong>and</strong>
plants. Its role is <strong>the</strong> prevention or control <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entry, establishment or spread <strong>of</strong>
pests <strong>and</strong> diseases that will or could likely cause significant damage to human beings,
plants, <strong>animals</strong> <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environment. The nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> this
Act is within <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> this report, however since <strong>the</strong> Quarantine Act is primarily
administered by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Forestry <strong>and</strong> Fisheries, it will not be
considered in detail here.
Natural Heritage Trust <strong>of</strong> Australia Act 1997
The NHT Act is dedicated to repairing <strong>and</strong> replenishing Australia’s natural capital
infrastructure. It aims to move <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> natural resource to a more
integrated <strong>and</strong> cohesive approach that will mitigate existing problems <strong>and</strong> improve
l<strong>and</strong> use now <strong>and</strong> for future generations. It is jointly managed by DEH <strong>and</strong> DAFF.
The second phase <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NHT is seeking to deliver important resource condition
outcomes including improved water quality, less erosion, improved estuarine health,
improved vegetation <strong>management</strong> <strong>and</strong> improved soil condition.
O<strong>the</strong>r relevant Commonwealth legislation
The Agricultural <strong>and</strong> Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 provides for <strong>the</strong> regulation
<strong>of</strong> chemicals used in <strong>the</strong> control <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> species. Chemicals must be registered for use
for each species to be targeted <strong>and</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chemicals is to be restricted
unless declared o<strong>the</strong>rwise. The Biological Control Act 1987 provides for <strong>and</strong> governs
<strong>the</strong> use <strong>and</strong> release <strong>of</strong> biological control agents in Australia. This Act has relevance to
<strong>the</strong> rabbit myxomatosis <strong>and</strong> calicivirus as well as research into new biocontrols.
Under <strong>the</strong> Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 expenditure on preventing <strong>and</strong> treating
l<strong>and</strong> degradation is eligible for a rebate or a deduction. Subdivision 387-A allows for
<strong>the</strong> erection <strong>of</strong> fencing to exclude <strong>feral</strong> <strong>animals</strong> from areas affected by l<strong>and</strong>
degradation, eradication or control <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> <strong>animals</strong>, <strong>and</strong> extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> above
activities.
Intergovernmental agreements
Partnership agreements exist between <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth <strong>and</strong> each State <strong>and</strong> territory
government that aim to ensure that State policies <strong>and</strong> regulatory arrangements for
environmental protection <strong>and</strong> sustainable development are consistent with national
objectives <strong>and</strong> priorities.
4.2 State <strong>and</strong> Territory legislation
The State <strong>and</strong> Territories have principal responsibility for environmental
<strong>management</strong>. They are free to pass legislation on all aspects <strong>of</strong> environmental
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