It was also suggested that mandatory training in pest animal management would be counterproductive to the aim of the strategy. The strategy does not specify mandatory training, rather it recognises that training is needed to build stakeholder capacity to effectively manage pest animals. Availability of nationally consistent pest management training is one of the many challenges of pest management in Australia and requires a collaborative approach between all parties to ensure that training is available where needed. Priority 1.2—Improve information collection and sharing mechanisms to support effective pest animal management A stakeholder suggested that data must be open access, meet best practice standards and also be readily available to policy makers, managers and researchers. Trade and market sensitivities limit when it is appropriate to make data available to stakeholders about the presence of a pest or disease on a property. Priority 1.2 has been changed to include references to ‘best available data’. Goal 2—Minimise impact of established pest animals A stakeholder suggested that education programs and promotional elements should be included in Goal 2 because it is not clear whether these are included as a part of best practice. Changes were not made to Goal 2 because the goal already includes educational elements. Under Priority 2.2 (develop and improve best practice) the strategy states that research, development and extension also helps to develop and update best practice, and to customise it for different stakeholders. Goal 3—Prevent establishment of pest animals A stakeholder suggested that Goal 3 should include a reference to high-risk entry points. A sentence has been added in regards to knowledge or all modes of entry which includes high-risk entry points.
It was also suggested that mandatory training in pest animal management would be counterproductive to the aim of the strategy. The strategy does not specify mandatory training, rather it recognises that training is needed to build stakeholder capacity to effectively manage pest animals. Availability of nationally consistent pest management training is one of the many challenges of pest management in Australia and requires a collaborative approach between all parties to ensure that training is available where needed. Priority 1.2—Improve information collection and sharing mechanisms to support effective pest animal management A stakeholder suggested that data must be open access, meet best practice standards and also be readily available to policy makers, managers and researchers. Trade and market sensitivities limit when it is appropriate to make data available to stakeholders about the presence of a pest or disease on a property. Priority 1.2 has been changed to include references to ‘best available data’. Goal 2—Minimise impact of established pest animals A stakeholder suggested that education programs and promotional elements should be included in Goal 2 because it is not clear whether these are included as a part of best practice. Changes were not made to Goal 2 because the goal already includes educational elements. Under Priority 2.2 (develop and improve best practice) the strategy states that research, development and extension also helps to develop and update best practice, and to customise it for different stakeholders. Goal 3—Prevent establishment of pest animals A stakeholder suggested that Goal 3 should include a reference to high-risk entry points. A sentence has been added in regards to knowledge or all modes of entry which includes high-risk entry points.