Feral animals invade natural ecosystems
Feral animals damage the environment and agriculture
Report new invasive feral animals
The Biosecurity Act 2014 makes everyone responsible for managing biosecurity risks and threats under their control. This general biosecurity obligation means they must take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not spread a pest, disease or contaminant. The Act designates a range of prohibited and restricted biosecurity matter.
Prohibited matter can be biosecurity matter like a disease, exotic fish, insect pest, pest animal or a weed that is not found in Queensland. If it was to enter Queensland it would significantly impact our health, way of life, the economy and the environment. Prohibitied matter is listed in Schedule 1 of the Act.
Restricted matter can be biosecurity matter like a plant and animal disease, noxious fish, insects, pest animal or weeds that are found in Queensland. Restricted matter is considered to have a significant impact on human health, social amenity, the economy and the environment. Specific actions are required to be undertaken that limit the impact of this matter by reducing, controlling or containing it. Restricted matter is listed in Schedule 2 of the Act.
There are seven categories for restricted matter. Each category places restrictions on the dealings with the biosecurity matter or requires actions to be taken to minimise the spread and adverse impact of the biosecurity matter. Categories 1 and 2 have specific urgent reporting requirements.
For more information on the Biosecurity Act 2014, see the biosecurity section of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.
The impacts of feral pigs, cats, deer, foxes, cane toads, tramp ants and rabbits have been listed as key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Numerous Threat Abatement Plans have been released for these feral animals and others of national significance.
