Chinese delegates to visit Goulburn to discuss pest management

A group of Chinese delegates will visit Goulburn on Thursday, November 24 as part of an Australian trip to learn more about our approach to pest management.

The twelve agronomists and researchers will speak to staff at the Goulburn office of Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) to obtain a strategic overview of how they manage and control pests as part of their work in providing frontline pest animal services.

Senior ranger of Tablelands LHPA, Mark McGaw, says they are looking forward to the visit and to providing information and advice to the delegates.

"I think the visit is a valuable exercise where we can share information about the damage pest animals cause and the control options available," he said.

Topics of discussion will include local pest animals, which are identified as wild dogs, rabbits, feral pigs, foxes and feral goats.

"We will talk about the damage caused by these animals and the resulting costs to agriculture in Australia, as well as current and future control options," said Mr McGaw.

The trip has been organised through the Canberra-based Australian Technical Experts Network and has also included a meeting of the delegates with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries where plaque locusts were discussed.

Media contact: Vanessa Delaney 6391 3787 or 0428 465 378