By law any landowner is required to control the rabbit population on their land. (Pests Act 1954). Rabbits are a pest due to them eating grass and crops and rabbit burrows can also damage embankments and roadways.
Prolific breeders, the rabbit population can multiply several-fold in a matter of weeks. Complete eradication would be impossible and undesirable, therefore controlling the population along with thorough rabbit proofing measures is the long-term solution. Culls to reduce over-populations are sometimes carried out.