There are three classes of declared animals (two of which are currently used) under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. These animals are targeted for control as they represent a threat to primary industries, natural resources and the environment.

Declaration imposes a legal responsibility for control by all landowners on land under their management, including all landowning state agencies.

Unless you have a permit, it is an offence under the Act to:

• introduce a pest animal to the state
• feed a declared pest animal
• keep a declared pest animal
• release a declared pest animal.

Class 1 Declared Animals

Class 1 pest is one that is not commonly present in Queensland, and if introduced would cause an adverse economic, environmental or social impact.

Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state.

Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests.

Class 1 animals:

• Crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes)
• All mammals, reptiles and amphibians except:
  • Class 2 declared pest animals
  • mammals, reptiles and amphibians indigenous to Australia, including marine mammals
  • 32 non-declared animals.

Class 2 Declared Animals

A Class 2 pest is one that is established in Queensland and has, or could have, a substantial adverse economic, environmental or social impact.

Management of these pests requires coordination and they are subject to programs led by local government, community or landowners.

Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 2 pests.

Class 2 animals:

• Australian plague locust (Chortoicetus terminifera)
• cat, other than a domestic cat (Felis catus)
• dingo (Canis familiaris dingo)
• dog, other than a domestic dog (Canis familiaris)
• European fox (Vulpes vulpes)
• European rabbit (domestic and wild breeds) (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
• feral pig (Sus scrofa)
• goat, other than a domestic goat (Capra hircus)
• migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
• spur-throated locust (Austracris guttulosa)

Class 3 Declared Animals

Class 3 pests are established in Queensland and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact.

Landholders are not required to control Class 3 pests unless their land is adjacent to an environmentally significant area.

Class 3 animals:

• There are currently no animals declared as Class 3 pests.