Visiting Fellow
Invasive species management
Phone: +61 2 6125 3632
Fax: + 61 (0)2 6125 0746
E-mail: david.cook@anu.edu.au

Professional Activities

David's research interests centre around biosecurity issues. Much of his work has involved invasive species affecting agricultural industries, ranging from vertebrates, invertebrates, weeds, pathogens, fungi, aquatic and marine species. He has completed economic analyses on many different incursion responses, and on-going management strategies for naturalised pest species of regional, state and national significance. He has also investigated the social welfare implications of quarantine restrictions for various pests and diseases, comparing the traditional gains from trade and the increase in expected damage from exotic species capable of utilising the trade link as an entry pathway. David maintains a keen interest in environmental issues, many of which concern species introductions. He will be working in the newly-formed CRC for National Plant Biosecurity to investigate multi-criteria analytical frameworks to include environmental and socio-economic information into the formation of invasive species risk management policies.

Selected Publications

Cook, D.C. 2005. The 'Paradox of Thrips': Identifying a Critical Level of Investment in Pest Exclusion Activities in Western Australia. Australasian Agribusiness Review 13, http://www.agrifood.info/Publications_Review/Cook.htm ISSN 1442-6951.

Cook, D.C., Fraser, R.W., Wilby, A, Waage, J.K. and Mumford, J.D. 2004. Beyond the Biosecurity Horizon. In: Research Papers: Economic Services Group and Regional Economists, R. Kingwell (Ed.). Government of Western Australia - Department of Agriculture, South Perth. pp. 87-98.

Cook, D.C. 2003. Devising a Method of 'Expected Damage' Estimation for a Polyphagous Invertebrate Pest Exotic to Western Australia". In: Research Papers: Economic Services Group and Regional Economists, R. Kingwell (Ed.). Government of Western Australia - Department of Agriculture, South Perth. pp. 160-175.

Cook, D.C. and Fraser, R.W. 2002. Exploring the Regional Implications of Interstate Quarantine Policies in Western Australia. Food Policy 27 (2): 143-157.

Cook, D.C. 2001. An Economic Evaluation of the Benefits from Import Clearance Activities in Western Australia. Australasian Agribusiness Review 9, http://www.agribusiness.asn.au/ ISSN 1442-6951.