Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search

Help for those affected by flood

Visit nema.gov.au.

Close
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Minister
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Our science strategy
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Read more about our Budget

    Budget October 2022-23

    The 2022–23 October Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 October 2022.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Research reveals impact of feral cats on agriculture

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

Research reveals impact of feral cats on agriculture

  • Media release
  • Agriculture
  • Animals
  • Diseases
3 December 2020

Research conducted under the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP) has revealed that feral cats can cost the agriculture industry up to $12 million each year.

The study shows that feral felines are passing on parasites such as Toxoplasma and Sarcocystis to livestock and poultry, with devastating consequences for sheep and goats.

Infected cats often don’t appear sick themselves and through normal roaming behaviour can spread millions of tiny parasitic eggs into the environment. These eggs then persist in soil, pasture and water for months and can be ingested by livestock.

Rates of diseases are particularly high among sheep, with Toxoplasma causing the loss of over 62,000 unborn lambs each year and affecting South Australia and Tasmania more severely than other regions.

Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp, welcomed the research as the first study to estimate the national production costs of cat-dependent diseases on farm animals.

“While the environmental impact of cats has been well recognised, this research shows there is also a significant impact on livestock production,” Dr Schipp said.

“The two most significant diseases impacting livestock are parasitic infections transmitted by cats which together are estimated to cost Australian farmers $11.7 million in annual production losses.

“It is easy for livestock to contract these parasites as they simply need to graze in an area where cats have defecated.

“While cat-dependent diseases affect Australian livestock, meat produced in Australia is wholesome and safe.

“Our meat inspection processes are thorough and effective and our strict biosecurity laws help to ensure we can continue to enjoy our world class produce into the future.”

Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box, said the research highlights the benefits of domestic cat containment and the importance of reducing the number of feral cats in and around farms.

“I encourage the community to reduce the spread of disease to livestock from domestic cat populations, as well as reduce the risk of cat predation on native wildlife, by being responsible pet owners,” Dr Box said.

“The best thing pet cat owners can do to lower the risks to livestock and wildlife is to keep their cats contained 24 hours per day and ensure that they are microchipped, registered and desexed.”

The study conducted by the NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub is part of a suite of research to improve our understanding and capacity to manage the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife.

The Australian Government has mobilised more than $32 million since 2014 to support projects delivering direct, on-ground action and research to reduce the impact of feral cats.

To find out more about NESP visit environment.gov.au/science/nesp

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Contact us

Agriculture:

media@agriculture.gov.au

(61 2) 6272 3232

Related

Grain falling into a large pile

Easing the way for exports in time for bumper crop

  • Media release
  • Exports
20 December 2022
Boxes of fruit and vegetables for sale are stacked on tables at a market

New standard new chair for organic and bio-dynamic produce

  • News
  • Agriculture
19 December 2022
World soil day

World Soil Day – soil needs a partnership approach

  • Media release
  • Farming
05 December 2022
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 09 May 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.