After continued delays, federal and state agricultural ministers have decided to prolong research into the potential release of a carp herpes virus.

Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Bertie Hennecke, says that a final decision on releasing the virus is unlikely to materialise for several more years. 

The update comes nearly a year after the public unveiling of the National Carp Control Plan, a $10.4 million six-year feasibility study financed with $15.2 million in federal government funding allocated in 2016.

Hennecke says that additional research will initially be financed from the remaining original funding. 

Research priorities will include assessing any potential adverse effects of the virus on other fish species and its effectiveness in eliminating carp. This will involve field studies in countries where the virus naturally occurs, such as Israel and the United States. 

Hennecke says there is a need to ensure the virus is safe and effective before considering its release.

The decision to approve virus release will require assessment by state and federal agricultural ministers and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, which is expected to take several years in itself. 

However, former national carp task force member and recreational fisher, Peter Teakle, says further research is unnecessary. 

He believes that an ideal opportunity to release the virus has been missed, particularly during recent floods that could have helped disperse it. 

Teakle has also voiced concerns about potential environmental impacts and the resources needed to restore water quality.