FUNDING for research on a genetically engineered virus to control toads has been cancelled for fear it could also wipe out native frogs. The Federal Environment Department withdrew funding for the CSIRO research because its long-term feasibility was questionable and because it faced a major hurdle in being approved for release. [...] Prof Alford said immediate results on small-scale toad control were available for low-tech but community friendly methods such as better trapping that greatly reduced numbers. ”We’ve tripled the catch rate simply by playing back toad calls at a trap,” he said.