ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MAHINERANGI MAY 2019 | VERSION 2.0

and past operation history are all OVERVIEW used to determine the level of control The TBfree programme is delivered required to eradicate TB. through TB Management areas (TMAs) and aims to control, and eventually The TBfree programme is delivered eradicate, bovine tuberculosis (TB) from through TB management areas (TMAs). by 2055. OSPRI’s main Each TMA has a specific TB control plan goals for TB control in the Waitahuna designed to eradicate TB as effectively Mahinerangi area are for TB freedom as possible. in livestock and possums by 2035. This notice provides an overview The programme uses possum control, of TB control work planned for this regular herd testing and movement TMA. It is not a formal notice of any restrictions to control TB. When specific operation. All operation dates planning for operations wild animal provided are provisional and subject surveys, TB history, herd testing results to consultation. TMA Location

OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME Planned control and surveillance management activities are outlined in the table below.

TYPE OF HOW MANY CONTROL WHEN?* HECTARES? WHERE?

Ground control – Possum 2019/2020 14,800 Berwick, Lawrence C, Mahinerangi, Tokomairiro River

Aerial control – Possum 2019/2020 21,200 Berwick Aerial

Ground control – Possum 2020/2021 14,800 Berwick, Lawrence C, Mahinerangi, Tokomairiro River

Ground control – Possum 2020/2021 14,800 Berwick, Lawrence C, Mahinerangi, Tokomairiro River

Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation. * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 2019/20 OPERATIONS

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 ROAD TO TB ERADICATION

TESTING WILDLIFE We check the wildlife to see if TB is present in an area.

POSSUM CONTROL – YEAR ONE Possums spread TB. Getting numbers low will help stop TB.

KEEPING POSSUM TB HISTORY TARGETING NUMBERS LOW The Waitahuna Mahinerangi TMA has a POSSUMS It’s really important to keep long history with TB infection. TB was possum numbers low over To eradicate bovine TB from possum established in wildlife throughout the multiple years to break the populations, possum numbers need TB cycle. TMA in the late 1970’s. Possum control to be kept extremely low – around in the 1990’s successfully decreased the one to two animals every ten hectares. number of infected herds in this TMA. TESTING WILDLIFE Previous wildlife control and livestock We test wildlife to check if disease management has dramatically TB still exists. The animals WAITAHUNA reduced the number of infected herds will be checked for signs of in the Waitahuna Mahinerangi TMA. TB. Samples may be grown MAHINERANGI in a laboratory. If TB is found, The Waitahuna Mahinerangi TMA you will be told by TBfree. covering 115,673ha encompasses THE METHOD the Glendhu and Berwick Forests, GROUND CONTROL the surrounds of Lake Mahinerangi OSPRI contractors will use toxins TB ERADICATED and the western shores of . and traps to carry out this possum It is comprised of a mixture of improved control operation. farmland and commercial forestry. Different toxins are used depending on the size and terrain of the operational CONTROL HISTORY area. Toxins will either be placed in bait Ground based possum control was stations, stapled to trees in biodegradable carried out in the 2016/2017 year in bags or hand-laid. Contractors will consult Berwick, Black Rock, Lawrence A, C with landowners on which toxin will be and Mahinerangi. Aerial possum control used to ensure the safety of livestock, has previously been undertaken in the pets and native animals. Berwick, Lawrence A, Mahinerangi, and There are many different types Tokomairiro blocks during 2015/2016 of traps, such as leg-hold or kill traps. In choosing the right one, we will take into consideration ease POSSUM of access, set-up and maintenance POPULATION time, animal welfare factors and the potential risks to livestock, pets and ASSESSMENT native animals. Before control work is carried out an assessment of the wildlife population On occasion our contractors may maybe be undertaken. also use corflute chew cards or wax tags to identify possum populations Following control work, the possum where control is required. population density may also be monitored to assess the operation’s AERIAL CONTROL success. From the results, we’ll be able Possum control is mostly done by to tell if further possum control work contractors using ground-based traps needs to be done in the area. and hand-laid toxins such as cyanide.

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 In some areas the most efficient method and subject to consultation. OSPRI of control is aerial, and this involves contractors will be in contact with the application of baits containing affected landowners and occupiers biodegradable 1080 from helicopters. before any work starts. Aerial control is efficient, cost effective and extremely successful at knocking possum numbers down to very low TESTING HERDS CONTACT levels. For more information on the Cattle and deer herds are monitored use of this poison visit 1080facts.co.nz for TB through a combination of herd DETAILS testing and carcass inspection at OSPRI office slaughter. The frequency of testing CONSULTATION depends on the herd’s location, PO Box 5745 OSPRI listens to feedback from management and TB history. Moray Place communities, land occupiers and land To check the testing frequency for Dunedin 9058 users about proposed operations and your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap P 03 477 9829 notifies planned operations well in advance so affected parties can submit E [email protected] feedback about any possible risks or MOVEMENT sensitive areas that need to be managed. CONTROL The eradication activities in this TMA are delivered by specialist OSPRI will always seek the willing The Waitahuna Mahinerangi TMA is in wildlife and pest control Contractors cooperation of land occupiers when the Southern Movement employed by OSPRI. The contact TBfree programme work needs to be Control Area. That means TB testing is details for the contractor delivering carried out on their land. required for cattle and deer before they are below. Before any operation begins, affected are moved to another herd or farm. landowners and occupiers will be Contract Wild Animal contacted and visited by one of our Control NZ LTD contractors. Depending on the methods ACHIEVEMENTS P 0800 292 269 used and the location of the operations, TO DATE consents may be required from the OSPRI has made significant progress E [email protected] Department of Conservation and towards eradicating TB from vector risk Ministry of Health. areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since 2011, VRA status has been revoked from 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million WHAT NEXT? hectares in 14 areas still to be cleared Dates and control methods for the before freedom from disease in wildlife proposed operations are provisional can be declared.

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463