Thank you for your letter 13 February 1997 regarding this rabbit killing disease which has been unleashed in Australia.

I would be surprised indeed if any RSPCA agency has said that the release of RHVD/RCD in Australia was right. That view would fly in the face of our National Policy on the use of exotic live viruses.

Our policy is clear and unambiguous: it says -

"RSPCA is concerned that the importation and use within Australia of any exotic live virus would place animals and the Australian community at great and unnecessary risk"

The importation of RHVD/RCD onto the Australian continent, which is disease free, is clearly in conflict with RSPCA Policy. By its escape it demonstrated its unique independence, its erratic spread has proven its autonomy and unpredictability, it can not be contained or controlled, it can not be stopped, it can not be eradicated no matter what transformation it may undergo in the years ahead, and there is no known protection against the virus if at a future point in time it transfers to any other species.

The use of an exotic live virus intended for use as a fatal biological control agent is a dangerous adventure at any time, and the escape of any virus before a testing program is ended may put this country at risk. When RHVD/RCD escaped, Australian scientists involved in the importation of the virus claimed that other animals and the community would be safe. Dr Hugh Wirth, our National President, is reported to have said "We hope they are bloody well right."

The animal welfare implications also remain uncertain. Proponents for the use of the virus claim that infected rabbits become quiet after infection and remain so until they die calmly hours later. There is differing veterinary view emerging that quietness in the infected animals may well be evidence of great pain and suffering.

Since the spread of the virus to Western Australia our State body has instructed its Field Officers to wear protective clothing, particularly gloves, when handling rabbit carcasses. This was a general precautionary decision, not only to prevent the spread of the disease from infected rabbits to clean rabbits (as we understand the WA Humane Society was told), but also to protect our Officers and any other animals with which they may come in contact. We have also instructed our Officers that no carcasses are to be brought into RSPCA premises for the same precautionary reasons.

We believe these instructions are sensible having regard for uncertainties which still exist regarding the nature of the disease, and they acknowledge expressions of concern reported from agencies, clinics and universities in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, the USA and possibly elsewhere.