Thiriet, Dominique (2008) Warts and all: laws, policies and practice for the management of unpopular species. In: Australasian Law Teachers Association 63rd Annual Conference: the law, the environment, Indigenous peoples: climate for change?. p. 73. From: 2008 Australasian Law Teachers Association Conference: the law, the environment, Indigenous peoples: climate for change?, 6-9 July 2008, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) which are native Australian species and cane toads (Buto marinus) which were introduced in 1935 share an image problem. While flying foxes are currently protected under both state and federal legislation, thousands continue to be killed each year, legally and illegally, for crop protection. Attempts to eradicate toads have increased in the last few decades. Methods employed range from the scientific (manipulation reproduction at the molecular level) to the fanatical (encouragement of community based trapping).

All have been unsuccessful. In both examples, control activities have benefited at times from the support of government agencies, even where such activities are blatantly inconsistent with the law. This article considers the regulatory framework for control of flying-foxes and cane toads, including provisions relevant to conservation, 'pest' control and animal welfare considerations.

It will consider the challenges of enforcing the laws with regard to unpopular species, particularly in situations where members of the public are keen to take the law into their own hands and where the media encourages such behaviour in the name of environmental responsibility or public health. It concludes that government agencies' pandering to negative community attitudes towards unpopular species fosters further intolerance and prejudice. This in turn drives the political process to the extent that fashion dictates both management strategy and the administration of the law.

Item ID:	27971
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
ISBN:	978-0646-49497-5
Keywords:	environmental law, animal welfare
Date Deposited:	29 Jul 2013 06:00
FoR Codes:	18 LAW AND LEGAL STUDIES > 1801 Law > 180111 Environmental and Natural Resources Law @ 100%
SEO Codes:	94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9499 Other Law, Politics and Community Services > 949999 Law, Politics and Community Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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