This paper reviews previous reports of possum damage to crops and pasture, methods of measuring the damage, and the cost-effectiveness of control operations.

Various reports of possum damage indicate that localised serious damage can occur to crops (e.g. turnips, chou moellier, lucerne) and to pasture (clovers and grasses), particularly near forest-scrub margins.

Methods previously used to assess damage (questionnaire surveys and analysis of possum diets) are incomplete and possibly biased. The questionnaire surveys used in the past have not attempted to estimate losses, but only the type and extent of the damage. If incomplete consumption or compensatory growth occurs, loss of farm production cannot be directly extrapolated from analysis of possum diets. Assessment of economic losses must be based on measurements of yield.

Current methods used to control possums (e.g. phosphorus and 1080 poisons) are adequate to reduce possum populations locally. However, achievement of satisfactory control is limited by a lack of co-operation and co-ordination as well as shortage of finance. Research cannot be expected to solve these problems, but there is a need for research into cost/benefits and methods of improving the efficiency of control.