Australian Rabbit Case
CASE NUMBER: 168
CASE MNEMNONIC: RABBIT
CASE NAME: THE AUSTRALIAN RABBIT CASE
A. IDENTIFICATION
1. The Issue
This case examines the potential environmental, legal,
and trade issues raised by the recent accidental release of
the rabbit calicivirus disease virus from a testing site in
South Australia. The virus has spread to New Zealand. While
the rabbit populations in Australia and New Zealand have been
a plague on farmers for many years, it is possible that the
virus may harm bats, cattle, deer, and plant life (namely the
kiwi) as well. Adding to environmental concerns is the
possibility that the rapidly-spreading virus may linger for
many years. Political pressures have been building in New
Zealand over possible damage to the national emblem (the
kiwi) as well as the possible loss of pet and show rabbits.
Australia has already developed a vaccine for the virus,
which New Zealand is anxious to begin importing. However,
farmers of both countries stand to gain tens of millions of
dollars in increased agricultural output since damage caused
by rabbits is the main source of agricultural losses. With
the rabbit population about to be reduced by an estimated 70
per cent, farmers will finally have relief from this problem.
2. Description
Over a century ago, wealthy Englishmen who migrated to
Australia brought hundreds of rabbits on their ships with
them to use as the object of their traditional hunts. Since
then, the rabbit population has become a plague for
Australia--their numbers have grown to well over 200 million.
The rabbits are destroying vegetation, causing severe soil
erosion, and destroying grazing land (8 rabbits eat about the
same amount of grass as a single sheep). It is estimated
that the loss of sheep to malnourishment (due to rabbits) is
costing the Australian farming industry $A97-70 million per
year ($75-55 million U.S.).
By the late 1970s, Australian farmers were putting
considerable pressure on the government to find a solution to
the problem. The solution was to import a virus which had
devastated the rabbit population in South Africa: Myxomatosis
(myxo). At one point, myxo had reduced the Australian rabbit
population by about 99%. However, due to the legendary
rabbit reproduction rate, and an increased resistance to
myxo, the virus affected less than a 50% reduction rate by
1990.
At one point, ferrets were imported to help control the
rabbit population. Ferrets prey on young rabbits. It was
soon discovered that the ferrets were infected with Bovine
Tuberculoses and were spreading it to cattle and deer. Not
only was there less beef and cattle to export, but it quickly
became known on the international market that Australian
cattle were infected with tuberculoses. This caused a loss
in confidence in Australian beef which further hurt exports.
Losses in beef and cattle exports cost the farmers as much as
$A35 million per year ($27 million U.S.). These losses to
Australian agrigulture made it necessary for the government
to release a different strain of myxo to control the ferret
population which had originally been imported to control the
rabbit population.
By 1990, the Australian government was facing increased
pressure from farmers and had to find another solution to
control the rabbit population. It was decided that releasing
a more powerful virus was the most efficient way to deal with
the problem. The difficulty came in deciding which virus to
use. A stronger myxo virus was developed, but testing showed
that it resulted in a slow, unbearably painful death which
would not be tolerated by animal rights groups. The next
virus, tested in 1993, was rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD).
This virus was deemed to be more humane than the stronger
myxo.
The problem with RHD was that it had the potential to
spread to other animals or even destroy some plant life. The
virus is carried in the bodily fluids of the infected animal.
Any contact with the blood, urine or saliva of the animal is
likely to result in the spread of the virus. The virus had
shown its ability to quickly spread in Europe, where it had
devastated the rabbit population. RHD had also spread (in a
less potent form than Australia was considering releasing) to
Asia and Africa, where it was affecting plant life as well as
killing rabbits. The virus is believed to have spread
through other animals that were exported from Europe. The
Australian government was not prepared to release the virus--
despite strong pressure from farmers--until a vaccine and
other measures were developed to combat these problems should
they arise.
There is no longer a question as to what measures the
Australian government will take to control the rabbit
problem. In mid-October 1995, rabbit calicivirus disease
(RCD)--a virus similar to RHD--escaped from a quarantined
island off the South coast of Australia where it was being
tested. It is reported that bushflies and journalists who
were exposed to infected vegetation near the test center may
have spread the virus to both Australia and New Zealand. The
virus is spreading very quickly. Authorities who were once
trying to control its spread have abandoned this effort, and
are now offering vaccines for owners of pet rabbits and
competition show bunnies.
The RCD virus is projected to spread very quickly in New
Zealand as well. New Zealand also has a rabbit population
problem. However, there are concerns in New Zealand for the
3,000 pet bunnies and 10,000 show bunnies. In addition, it
is feared that RCD will attack the short-tailed bat and New
Zealand's national emblem, the kiwi. Political tensions
between Australia and New Zealand are likely to arise over
the accidental release if Australia does not find a way to
head-off the virus. Some members of New Zealand's parliament
have threatened to end all imports from Australia until they
get the problem under control. Meanwhile, New Zealand is
quickly trying to push through fast-track import licenses for
the RCD vaccine. The vaccine has been sent to New Zealand
labs for analysis and approval of use in that country. The
government is likely to approve large-scale import of this
product in a matter of days.
In Australia, it is estimated that the accidental
release of the RCD virus will destroy 60% of the rabbit
population. There are currently no published predictions
as to the likelihood that RCD will spread to other animals or
plant life. Meanwhile, the farming communities in both
Australia and New Zealand are pleased with the accidental
release of the virus. Another drastic reduction in the
rabbit population is likely to increase their agricultural
revenues by $A70 million ($53 million U.S.) in the next year.
3. Related Cases
There are no cases which deal with the current situation
in Australia and New Zealand. However, there is much infor-
mation about the problem that can be found on-line. The
following keywords can be used in combination to help narrow
the search.
See BALLAST Case
See HAWAII Case
See NEMATODE Case
See APPLE Case
Key Words: (1): AUSTRALIA
(2): RABBITS
(3): VIRUS
4. Draft Author: Brian A. Tallerico
B. LEGAL CLUSTER
5. Discourse and Status: AGRee and ALLEGEd
The government of New Zealand is very concerned with the
projected spread of the virus, as well as with its possible
effects on other animal and plant life. However, there is
yet to be any serious friction between the two countries.
Australia has openly admitted that it was responsible for the
situation. From the outset, Australia has been sharing
information on the likely effects of the virus, as well as
having their scientists work with New Zealand's in
determining exactly how the virus is likely to spread.
Australia is cooperating fully with New Zealand in providing
the RCD vaccine and trying to devise plans for treating the
virus should it spread to the kiwi and other plant life.
In Australia itself, owners of pet and show bunnies are
concerned about their rabbits. The government is providing
vaccines for these rabbits as well as educating owners on how
to protect their rabbits from the virus. It is far more
likely that unhappy Australians will voice their qualms at
the ballot box rather than take legal action against the
government. Conversely, the farming community in Australia
is quite pleased with the accidental release of RCD since it
stands to reduce damage caused by rabbits from $A90-75 per
year to $A36-30 million per year ($75-55 million to $27-23
million U.S.).
6. Forum and Scope: AUSTRALIA and BILATeral
Should the RCD virus spread to other animals and plant
life, there may be class-action suits against Australia by
individuals or environmental groups. Should this action be
taken by Australian citizens only, then the scope would be
uni-lateral rather than bilateral. However, with the effort
being made by the Australian government to remedy the
situation, this level of legal action is unlikely.
Should RCD infect and cause serious damage to New
Zealand's national emblem--the kiwi--it is possible that New
Zealand would become outraged and seek damages from
Australia. Should infected animals come into contact with
the kiwi, this is likely to happen. The scope of this action
would be bi-lateral. However, the release of RCD will
greatly reduce New Zealand's rabbit population and thus, help
its farming industry. Should New Zealand take action against
Australia, it is possible that Australia would counter by
demanding that New Zealand pay for this "service" rendered.
7. Decision Breadth: 2 (AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND)
Any legal action is likely to impact Australia by
requiring the government to pay New Zealand for damages done
to its bat population or kiwi crops. New Zealand will only
be affected by their receiving payment from Australia. Legal
action may also require new regulations on the testing of
biological organisms, or on the release of such organisms
into the environment. New Zealand may enact such laws as
well. It is also likely that an environmental pact of some
sort will be signed by the two nations regarding the release
of dangerous substances/organisms into the environment. A
treaty of this sort would include agreements for cooperative
efforts to remedy any further incident in the future.
8. Legal Standing: LAW
Whether there is any legal action taken against
Australia or not, the government is already planning on
investigating the accidental release and changing regulations
regarding biological organisms. These regulations will
consist of the following new standards of safety and control:
access to test sites will be further limited to necessary
personnel only, regulations will require enclosed test areas
to be sealed-off from the outside environment, and sites may
be required to have an even greater buffer zone from areas
inhabited by wildlife.
C. GEOGRAPHIC FILTERS
9. Geography
a. Geographic Domain: AUSTRALIA
b. Geographic Site: AUSTRALIA
c. Geographic Impact: AUSTRALIA
Due to Australia's unique status as both a continent and
a country, it fits into all three categories above. The
release of RCD is limited to this area only. Since the virus
is also present in Asia, Europe, and Africa, there is little
concern over preventing its spread beyond Australia. Due to
its being removed from the other continents, other viruses
have not spread to Australia. For this reason, it is likely
that RCD will not spread beyond Australia and New Zealand
anyway.
10. Sub-National Factors: No
11. Type of Habitat: DRY
D. TRADE FILTERS
12. Type of Measure: LICEN
The spread of RCD from Australia to New Zealand can
hardly be classified as "trade." However, the release of
the virus has made it necessary for New Zealand to import
vaccines from Australia. Since there is an effort to
expedite import licensing for the vaccines, this category
best fits the situation.
13. Direct vs. Indirect Impacts: INDirect
Any measures that result from this incident will focus
on environmental safety rather than trade. The trade aspect
(vaccines and other services needed to control the virus) has
developed from the need to control the spread of the virus to
other species. Had it not been for the release of RCD, there
would be no trade issue at all.
14. Relation of Measure to Impact
a. Directly related to product: Yes
b. Indirectly related to product: No
c. Not related to product: No
d. Related to process: No
In regard to the trade of goods and services from
Australia to New Zealand, any measures (licenses, etc.) would
be directly related to the goods and services. Since the
goal is to get these goods and services from Australia to New
Zealand as quickly as possible, the governments of both
countries will work to reduce any bureaucratic red-tape that
could slow the process. The Fast-track export licence
process mentioned earlier is the primary way to accomplish
this. This process requires the licence application to be
subjected to minimal review by the necessary government
agencies.
15. Trade Product Identification: VACCINE
16. Economic Data
a. Industry Output ($): Medium
b. Employment: Minimal
There is no doubt that the release of the virus will be
good for the economies of both Australia and New Zealand. It
will decrease damages in Australia by about $A60 million ($45
million U.S.) a year. The output from farms will be
increased. In addition, the effort to control the spread of
the virus to other species has required a small increase in
employment. People are needed to administer vaccines, to
help educate the public on how to protect their animals from
the virus, and to study long-term environmental effects of
the virus.
17. Degree of Competitive Impact: MEDIUM
Australia will gain about $A60 million ($45 million
U.S.) a year due to a decrease in damage done by rabbits--as
long as the rabbits do not develop a resistance to the virus
and repopulate quickly. This gain is an initial factor.
Should the virus spread to cattle, sheep, and other
livestock, this gain could quickly turn into a loss as
unhealthy livestock would cost farmers much more in the long
run than problems caused by the rabbit population. Some
estimate that this new virus could end up costing Australian
farmers $A150 million ($113 million U.S.) a year if it begins
to effect cattle and sheep. However, scientists do not
believe that the virus will develop the capability to harm
these animals.
The possible loss of healthy sheep and cattle or cash
crops could cost Australian farmers their share of the world
commodities market. It is possible that the release of RCD
could hurt Australia's agricultural competitiveness as buyers
will again loose confidence and find a substitute for
Australian commoditites.
18. Industry Sector: NOTH
While the release of RCD has no immediate impact (if any
at all) on Australia's agricultural production, this is the
only major industry which stands to be seriously affected by
the release of the virus.
19. Exporters and Importers: AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND
E. ENVIRONMENT CLUSTERS
20. Environmental Problem Type: SPLL
While the total effect that the virus will have on the
environment is still unknown, it is certain that a large
portion of the rabbit populations of Australia and New
Zealand will be destroyed. There are other possible species
losses as well: the short-tailed bat, cattle, and deer. The
virus may not be as devastating to cattle and deer as it is
to rabbits, but bats may well be in danger.
Aside from animals, there is the possibility that plant
life will be affected. The kiwi has already been mentioned,
but other plants may be lost in addition. Finally, it is not
known how long the virus will remain in the environment. It
is possible that the virus may permanently damage plant and
wildlife in Australia and New Zealand.
21. Species Information: Bunny-Rabbit, Short-Tailed Bat
These two species are in the most peril. There is also
a chance that the kiwi, cattle, and deer in Australia will be
affected. The rabbit and bat populations are likely to
suffer large death rates. There is only speculation as to
what the effect may be on cattle or deer. While the virus
may not result in death, it could make these animals unfit
for export or use as a domestic food source. If the virus
spreads to the kiwi, this tropical fruit will become unfit
for consumption.
22. Impact and Effect: MEDIUM and STRCTural
While the release of the RCD virus is something that
requires immediate attention, it is far from being a global
disaster. This virus has been in Europe, Asia, and Africa
for many years. The world's rabbit population is in no
danger of becoming extinct. In addition, there may not be
any negative effect on other animals or plants--and the virus
certainly does not harm humans. However, should the virus
hurt cattle, deer, and plant life as well as rabbits, then
the Australian environment will face serious structural
ramifications. It may be faced with many different animal
populations infected with RCD over a period of decades. If
this does happen, it may require a restructuring of the
domestic economy away from agricultural goods.
23. Urgency and Lifetime: MEDIUM and Many years
As stated above, the situation demands immediate
attention in order to assess the total effect that RCD will
have on the environment, but the world is not in the midst of
disaster. The problem is localized, and vaccines are already
available. This will probably be enough to protect vital
livestock in the area. The real danger is that the virus
will remain in the environment for many years and continue to
have an effect on subsequent wildlife.
24. Substitutes
Since the disaster has already occurred, finding a
substitute to control the rabbit population is no longer an
issue. However, many alternatives had been considered before
the RCD virus escaped from the test facility. As mentioned
above, ferrets were brought in to prey on the rabbits, but
began spreading TB. Other viruses were being considered such
as: a new myxo virus, rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), and
viral tracheopneumonia. While another virus could have been
developed and used, there are still many risks involved in
dealing with viruses. Dangerous mutations can develop that
could allow a virus to directly infect more important
commodities such as cattle. The worst possible case would be
for a virus to mutate to the point where could spread to
humans, or become immune to even the most recent vaccines. An
immunity to vaccines creates the possibility that a virus
will remain in the environment or affect other species. A
strong virus that finds its way into a central water supply
for either animals or humans could cause severe illness on a
very large scale. The other alternative was to develop and
spread an altered protein which would sterilize the rabbits
without killing them. This may have been the most humane and
least dangerous way to control the rabbit population.
F. OTHER FACTORS
25. Culture: No
26. Human Rights: No
27. Trans-Boundary Issues: Yes
The trans-boundary consists of the spread of the virus
from Australia to New Zealand. It is highly unlikely that
the virus will spread any further than this. Possible
tensions between Australia and New Zealand have been
discussed earlier in this case study.
28. Relevant Literature
Ian Anderson, "Rabbit Virus to be Let Loose?" New Scientist.
September 25, 1993. v 139, p 5.
Ian Anderson, "Imported Virus Could Control Rabbits in the
Outback." New Scientist. September 16, 1989. v 123,
p 26.
"Australia Provides Vaccine to Cure Rabbit Virus." Xinhua
News Agency. October 31, 1995.
"Killer Rabbit Virus Creating Political Problems in NZ."
Agence France Presse. November 2, 1995.
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