Weeds, pest animals and diseases are key
threats to our natural resources due to the harm they cause to native
species and habitats, and primary production industries. They are also
significant and costly management challenges. Weeds are estimated to
cost Australian primary industries over $4 billion each year in lost
production and management effort. The impacts of pest animals are
estimated to cost about $740 million each year.
It is rarely possible to eradicate pest
animals or weeds once they are established. Natural resource managers
strategically target weeds and pest animals to maximise the benefits for
the economy and the environment.
The most effective management strategy, and a key priority of state
and regional natural resource managers, is to prevent additional
introduced species from becoming established.