вЂњIn the case of rabbits, Australia has been extremely lucky to have two new emerging extremely pathogenic diseases that were already present in Australia. вЂњThe question is often asked why, if we have effectively controlled rabbits using biological control, we cannot do the same for other feral animals? вЂњStudies have assessed public sentiment around a genetically manipulated biological control approach for feral animal control, but the results have not indicated acceptability is likely. He said lethal biological control would most likely not be supported in Australia largely on the basis of animal welfare concerns, but also due to difficulty in managing delivery to feral and not to domestic dogs.

вЂњPre-existing immunity to common diseases like parvovirus and paramyxovirus (distemper) already exists in feral populations and often there are reduced effects on adults.вЂќ вЂњThere is an international fund managed by Found Animals in the United States, and the Michelson Prize Awards scheme to develop new humane methods to control dog and cat fertility that includes approaches like VVIC in its scope, but the only products so far are direct chemical injectables.вЂќДЄ biocontrol option often raised by wild dog control stakeholders - Canine parvovirus - is unlikely to be feasible, according to Mr Zuelke. At the same time, a suitable vaccine or means of protection for domestic dogs (and dingoes/wild dogs in some places) would be requiredвЂќ. вЂњAlso, pre-existing immunity will likely be an issue for any VVIC approaches, as the vectors used would already be circulating in wild dog populations. вЂњAs such, a poison would be more economic in the short term,вЂќ he said. Mr Zuelke said none of the VVIC vaccines investigated to date have transmitted effectively, making it likely a dog VVIC would need to be delivered via a bait to each individual animal. It is technically challenging and even if successful in a research situation, there is no guarantee of acceptance by government regulators (or the Australian public) for use in the field.вЂќ вЂњThe VVIC approach is based on genetic manipulation of viruses to carry other agents and has not been explored directly for dogs. A dog virus which would have affected wild dogs and dingoes and domestic dogs was chosen as there was no fox-specific virus available. вЂњViral vectored immuno-contraception (VVIC) was explored for foxes using a dog herpes virus by the CSIRO several years ago.

Biocontrol agents for farmers