The Hon. RICK COLLESS: I direct my question to the Minister for Primary Industries. Will he outline the measures that the Department of Primary Industries currently is taking to enforce Australian health codes in relation to the rabbit industry? Specifically, will he outline the health measures that are in place to prevent shooters from illegally selling rabbit carcasses to licensed abattoirs in defiance of Australian standard health regulations and explain why measures currently are not being enforced to combat this practice in Hillston and surrounding regions? What action is his department taking to uphold the relevant health standards and protect rabbit meat consumers as well as the livelihoods of shooters who are licensed to hunt rabbits for game meat?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: That is a very good question. Recently I made announcements relating to rabbits, particularly their eradication.

The Hon. Rick Colless: The question concerns illegal sale of them to licensed abattoirs.

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I will get to that. I appreciate the importance of the question. As I recall, I have not had any evidence presented to me indicating any problems concerning the sale of illegally caught rabbits—

The Hon. Rick Colless: It is not just that. They are being illegally sold to abattoirs.

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: —or rabbits being illegally sold to abattoirs. I will examine the matter closely and provide an answer to the Hon. Rick Colless. I will burrow deeply into the issue.