[kylorhall]

They've done it in New Zealand before as well, illegally (or something similar at least). It worked a bit, in one region, then failed. The result was farmers wound up fighting a massive population growth of rose hip plants which took over as much as the rabbits did.

At least that's what some old guy told me when I was walking through the South Island on the TA.

[eesmith]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_rubiginosa points out that the rose hip plant is an "environmental weed" in NZ, and that "Growth from seed is aided by the reduction in competing pasture by rabbits." It links to http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/colleges/college-of-... which says:

> Pasture competition prevents new plants from establishing, though established plants are very competitive. Rabbit infestations have helped the spread of sweet brier by reducing pasture vigour. Cattle, possums and birds spread the seed by eating the fruits ("rose hips") produced around the seeds.