ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM RUAPEHU 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, there have been a small from New Zealand by 2055. OSPRI’s number of infected herds in this TMA. main goals for TB control in the The TBfree programme is delivered These herds were primarily found in the Ruapehu area are: through TB management areas (TMAs). Orautoha DOC and Horopito areas. TB Each TMA has a specific TB control plan • Maintain TB freedom in livestock infected pigs and possums have been designed to eradicate TB as effectively found in the Orautoha DOC area, the • TB freedom in possums by 2028 as possible. adjoining Ōhakune Farmland area and • TB freedom in the Ruapehu TMA This notice provides an overview in the neighbouring Whakahoro area. by 2028 of TB control work planned for this These indicate there is potential for The programme uses possum control, TMA. It is not a formal notice of any ongoing wildlife infection within the regular herd testing and movement specific operation. All operation dates Ruapehu TMA. OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME Planned control and surveillance management activities are outlined in the table below. TYPE OF HOW MANY CONTROL WHEN?* HECTARES? WHERE? Ground control 2019/2020 9,000 Horopito, Orautoha North, Ruapehu South Aerial control 2019 31,700 Horopito, Ruapehu South, Ruapehu West 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 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 NUMBERS LOW It’s really important to keep possum control work needs to be done possum numbers low over RUAPEHU in the area. multiple years to break the The Ruapehu TMA is on the western TB cycle. and southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. The TMA runs TARGETING around the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, loosely POSSUMS TESTING WILDLIFE flowing the alpine/bush line at an altitude We test wildlife to check if To eradicate bovine TB from possum of 1500 metres. The Pokaka and Horopito TB still exists. The animals populations, possum numbers need to settlements are within the TMA and will be checked for signs of be kept extremely low – around one the townships of Ōhakune, Rangataua TB. Samples may be grown to two animals every ten hectares. and Waiōuru are on edge of the TMA in a laboratory. If TB is found, Previous possum control and livestock boundary. The largest component of you will be told by TBfree. disease management has dramatically the habitat in the TMA are the southern reduced the number of infected herds sections of Tongariro National Park, and in the Manawatu Whanganui region. pine plantations in the southeast of the However, monitoring has shown that TB ERADICATED TMA. Farmland occupies the low-lying further control work is needed in the areas not included in the native bush Ruapehu area to reduce the possum or pine forest. There are a small number population, to minimise the risk of the of herds in the TMA which include dairy, disease spreading through wild animal beef breeding, meat production and populations and onto farmed cattle deer breeding. and deer and to ensure further good progress towards disease eradication. CONTROL HISTORY Aerial control has previously been THE METHOD undertaken in Orautoha DOC, Ruapehu AERIAL CONTROL West and Ruapheu South, most recently in 2016. The ground control areas of the Possum control is mostly done by Ruapehu TMA have received control for contractors using ground-based traps several years using both trapping and and hand-laid toxins such as cyanide. bait station methods. In some areas the most efficient method of control is aerial, and this involves the application of baits containing POSSUM biodegradable 1080 from helicopters. Aerial control is efficient, cost effective POPULATION and extremely successful at knocking ASSESSMENT possum numbers down to very low Before control work is carried out, an levels. For more information on the assessment of the wildlife population use of this poison visit 1080facts.co.nz may be undertaken. Following control work, the possum population density GROUND CONTROL may also be monitored to assess the OSPRI contractors will use toxins operation’s success. From the results, and traps to carry out this possum OSPRI can assess whether further control operation. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 Different toxins are used depending on Depending on the methods used and the size and terrain of the operational the location of the operations, consents area. Toxins will either be placed may be required from the Department in bait stations, stapled to trees in of Conservation and Ministry of Health. biodegradable bags or hand-laid. Contractors will consult with landowners on which toxin will be used to ensure WHAT NEXT? CONTACT the safety of livestock, pets and Dates and control methods for the DETAILS native animals. proposed operations are provisional and subject to consultation. OSPRI OSPRI Palmerston North Office There are many different types of contractors will be in contact with traps, such as leg-hold or kill traps. In PO Box 9078 affected landowners and occupiers choosing the right one, we will take into Terrace End before any work starts. consideration ease of access, set-up and Palmerston North 4441 maintenance time, animal welfare factors P 06 353 2710 and the potential risks to livestock, pets TESTING HERDS and native animals. On occasion our E [email protected] contractors may also use corflute chew Cattle and deer herds are monitored cards or wax tags to identify possum for TB through a combination of herd The eradication activities in this populations where control is required. testing and carcass inspection at TMA are delivered by specialist slaughter. The frequency of testing wildlife and pest control Contractors depends on the herd’s location, employed by OSPRI. The contact CONSULTATION management and TB history. details for the contractor delivering OSPRI listens to feedback from To check the testing frequency for are below. communities, land occupiers and land your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap users about proposed operations EPRO Limited and notifies planned operations well P 07 378 4852/0800 ASK EPRO in advance so affected parties can ACHIEVEMENTS submit feedback about any possible TO DATE E [email protected] risks or sensitive areas that need to be OSPRI has made significant progress managed. OSPRI will always seek the towards eradicating TB from vector risk willing cooperation of land occupiers areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since when TBfree programme work needs to 2011, VRA status has been revoked from be carried out on their land. Before any 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million operation begins, affected landowners hectares in 14 areas still to be cleared and occupiers will be contacted and before freedom from disease in wildlife visited by one of our contractors. can be declared. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463.