Aerial bovine tb control operations continue

Aerial bovine tuberculosis control operations continue on the West Coast

The remaining control areas of the Mikonui South and Mikonui North aerial operational blocks are underway today. These blocks form part of the West Coast bovine tuberculosis (TB) possum control programme.

Nick Hancox, Operational Policy Manager, said an attempt by anti-1080 protestors to disrupt the aerial operations has not prevented the operations from continuing.

“The successful implementation of these operations is the result of efficient planning by the contractor responsible.”

“All of the relevant stakeholders and landowners, including the Medical Officer of Health, have consented to the operation. Every condition has been met including those outlined by landowners during the pre-operation consultation phase,” says Mr. Hancox.

“This is a proactive pest control operation, designed to maintain buffer zones to prevent the disease from spreading to uninfected livestock or back into otherwise “clean” areas of Westland.”

“Scientific analysis shows that possums and other pests are responsible for 70 per cent of new herd infections. While many of the AHB’s pest control operations will be undertaken using ground-based methods, aerially applied sodium fluoroacetate (1080), remains the most effective method to control TB in wildlife.

“Over the past 20 years, developments in the application of aerially applied baits have led to a significant decrease in sowing rates per hectare. To get a sense of distribution rates, about five pellets the size of an acorn will be spread over an area larger than a tennis court.”

“1080 is being applied aerially in areas where ground control is impractical. However, ground-based pest control methods will be used where aerial control is inappropriate,” says Mr. Hancox.

“Warning signs have been erected, but we ask that dogs and other domestic animals are kept away from the operational area until these signs have been officially removed.”

The TB control programme targets possums to prevent the spread of bovine TB and protect the West Coast’s $700 million per year pastoral agricultural sector.

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