About the consultation
We invite public comment on an application to include Bengal cat, a hybrid animal of a domestic cat (Felis catus) and an Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), for non-commercial household pet purposes in the Live Import List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The applicant has prepared the report against the Terms of Reference – Other species.
The application is to include the hybrid in the Live Import List, not just an individual animal. If listed, anyone can import the animal, subject to conditions.
How can I get involved
Read the consultation documents
Have Your Say
We invite you to send us your comments and feedback through a written submission during this consultation period.
All comments received will be provided to the applicant to address in finalising the assessment report. We will consider any relevant information provided before briefing the minister.
In inviting public comment, we would value commentary on the broader aspects of the applications or specific items such as:
Can this hybrid animal survive in the Australian environment and breed with other species that may be present in Australia?
What diseases can this hybrid animal carry or transmit and what diseases are they known to be susceptible to?
What are the likely potential impacts to the environment if this hybrid was to establish a feral population in Australia?
The finalised risk assessment report may be published on our website. Comments received during this consultation process may be used and referenced in the final report. Comments will be attributed to organisations, not to individuals. If you wish your comments to remain confidential, you should mark the relevant part(s) of your comments as ‘confidential’.
If it is not possible to meet the deadline, please contact exotic.species@dcceew.gov.au.
Send your comments
Responses must be submitted by 11:59pm AEDT on Friday, 10 October 2025.
Please forward written comments to:
Email:
exotic.species@dcceew.gov.au
Mail:
The Director
Live Import List and CITES Policy Section
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
GPO Box 3090
Canberra ACT 2601
Personal information that you provide will only be used for these purposes. Personal information may be disclosed to the Minister for the Environment and Water, employees of their office, and employees of Australian Government agencies assisting the Minister.
Disclaimer
The applicant’s report addressing the Terms of Reference is circulated for public comment in compliance with section 303EF (2b) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government.
