Landholders surveyed about best pest and weed control programs

Farmers and landholders have been invited to take part in a state-wide survey to understand better the social and behavioural factors that influence pest and weed management.

Agriculture Victoria is the lead agency in delivering programs to combat established invasive species, underpinned by the Commonwealth-funded $4.3 million Weeds and Rabbits Project.

"We've been working closely with our key stakeholders and community members to understand better the barriers people face with implementing weed and rabbit management practices," said Agriculture Victoria acting program manager Heidi Kleinert said.

Ms Kleinert said community participation was crucial.

"Rabbits and weeds are a problem for all landholders, including farmers and public land managers, and we need to tackle this together," she said.

"We are asking land managers to share with us how they manage weeds and rabbits on their property.

"The survey results will tell us what is working well at the moment, but also where improvements can be made."

North East landholder and community representative Neil Devanny said a significant issue for farmers in meeting their obligations to control pest animals and plants came down to setting and managing priorities.

"We all need to harvest our crops, shear our sheep, market our livestock, and so this work must happen," Mr Devanny said.

"It's easy to drive past a rabbit burrow or weed and say I will do that tomorrow.

"An effective pest program needs to remind and prompt landholders to take action, especially on a collective basis."

He said land manager input would assist in developing collective ownership of the programs, in benefiting the community as a whole and support the good work, already being done.

The survey opened Monday, May 25 and closes on Sunday, June 24.

The survey can be completed at https://weedsandrabbits.com/survey/

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