Eradicating Bovine Tb from Ōhakune Farmland June 2019 | Version 2.0
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ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM ŌHAKUNE FARMLAND JUNE 2019 | VERSION 2.0 restrictions to control TB. When provided are provisional and subject OVERVIEW planning for operations wild animal to consultation. The TBfree programme is delivered surveys, TB history, herd testing through TB Management areas (TMAs) results and past operation history and aims to control, and eventually are all used to determine the level TB HISTORY eradicate, bovine tuberculosis (TB) of control required to eradicate TB. Historically the Orautoha, Ōhakune from New Zealand by 2055. OSPRI’s and West Ōhakune areas had high main goals for TB control in the The TBfree programme is delivered numbers of infected cattle herds Ōhakune Farmland area are: through TB management areas (TMAs). and local wildlife, however there are Each TMA has a specific TB control plan • Maintain TB freedom in livestock currently no infected herds in this designed to eradicate TB as effectively TMA. There has also been a long • TB freedom in possums by 2024 as possible. history with TB infection in local • TB freedom in the Ōhakune This notice provides an overview wildlife, with pigs and possums Farmland TMA by 2024 of TB control work planned for this being identified with TB in the The programme uses possum control, TMA. It is not a formal notice of any Orautoha and surrounding regular herd testing and movement specific operation. All operation dates Whakahoro areas. OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME Planned control and surveillance management activities are outlined in the table below. TYPE OF HOW MANY CONTROL WHEN?* HECTARES? WHERE? Ground control 2020/2021 31,200 Karioi-Ōhakune, Ōhakune, Orautoha, Tangiwai-Waiouru, West Ōhakune Ground control 2021/2022 31,200 Karioi-Ōhakune, Ōhakune, Orautoha, Tangiwai-Waiouru, West Ōhakune Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation. * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June TMA Location TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 2020/21 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 NUMBERS LOW It’s really important to keep may also be monitored to assess the possum numbers low over ŌHAKUNE operation’s success. From the results, multiple years to break the FARMLAND OSPRI can assess whether further TB cycle. possum control work needs to be The Ōhakune Farmland TMA lies to the done in the area. south and south west of Mt Ruapehu. Its TESTING WILDLIFE boundaries run from the small settlement We test wildlife to check if of Orautoha in the west, to Waiōuru TARGETING TB still exists. The animals in the east, and includes the Ōhakune will be checked for signs of township. Much of the landscape in the POSSUMS TB. Samples may be grown TMA is flat paddocks and rolling hills To eradicate bovine TB from possum in a laboratory. If TB is found, that are dissected by streams. Land use populations, possum numbers need you will be told by TBfree. is predominantly dry stock farming, beef to be kept extremely low – around breeding units, and a small number of one to two animals every ten hectares. dairy herds and deer breeding units. Previous possum control and livestock TB ERADICATED Some horticulture is undertaken. disease management has dramatically reduced the number of infected herds in the Manawatu Whanganui region. CONTROL HISTORY However, monitoring has shown that There has been regular possum control further control work is needed in the undertaken in the Ōhakune Farmland Ōhakune Farmland area to reduce TMA since the early 2000’s. This control the possum population, to minimise has kept the possum population to the risk of the disease spreading consistently low levels for the past 10 through wild animal populations and years and prevented the migration of onto farmed cattle and deer and to TB into the TMA from adjacent areas. ensure further good progress towards The TMA is completely controlled disease eradication. using ground-based methods including trapping and the use of toxins in bait stations. The most recent control was THE METHOD completed between 2014 and 2016. GROUND CONTROL During this period the entire TMA, OSPRI contractors will use toxins except for the Ōhakune township, and traps to carry out this possum was controlled. control operation. Different toxins are used depending POSSUM on the size and terrain of the POPULATION operational area. Toxins will either be placed in bait stations, stapled ASSESSMENT to trees in biodegradable bags or Before control work is carried out, an hand-laid. Contractors will consult assessment of the wildlife population with landowners on which toxin will may be undertaken. Following control be used to ensure the safety of work, the possum population density livestock, pets and native animals. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 There are many different types of traps, such as leg-hold or kill traps. In WHAT NEXT? choosing the right one, we will take into Dates and control methods for the consideration ease of access, set-up and proposed operations are provisional maintenance time, animal welfare factors and subject to consultation. OSPRI and the potential risks to livestock, pets contractors will be in contact with CONTACT and native animals. On occasion our affected landowners and occupiers contractors may also use corflute chew before any work starts. DETAILS cards or wax tags to identify possum OSPRI Hamilton Office populations where control is required. TESTING HERDS PO Box 9466 Cattle and deer herds are monitored Waikato Mail Centre CONSULTATION for TB through a combination of herd Hamilton 3240 OSPRI listens to feedback from testing and carcass inspection at P 07 849 8913 communities, land occupiers and land slaughter. The frequency of testing users about proposed operations depends on the herd’s location, E [email protected] and notifies planned operations well management and TB history. in advance so affected parties can To check the testing frequency for submit feedback about any possible your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap risks or sensitive areas that need to be managed. OSPRI will always seek the willing cooperation of land occupiers ACHIEVEMENTS when TBfree programme work needs to TO DATE be carried out on their land. Before any OSPRI has made significant progress operation begins, affected landowners towards eradicating TB from vector risk and occupiers will be contacted and areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since visited by one of our contractors. 2011, VRA status has been revoked from Depending on the methods used and 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million the location of the operations, consents hectares in 14 areas still to be cleared may be required from the Department before freedom from disease in wildlife of Conservation and Ministry of Health. can be declared. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463.