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Eradicating Bovine Tb from Remutaka–Hutt June 2019 | Version 2.0

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Eradicating Bovine Tb from Remutaka–Hutt June 2019 | Version 2.0 ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM REMUTAKA–HUTT JUNE 2019 | VERSION 2.0 Each TMA has a specific TB control plan TMA over this same time with the two OVERVIEW designed to eradicate TB as effectively most recent found in Mangaroa Kaitoke The TBfree programme is delivered as possible. area in 2010 and 2011. through TB Management areas (TMAs) and aims to control, and eventually This notice provides an overview eradicate, bovine tuberculosis (TB) of TB control work planned for this REMUTAKA–HUTT from New Zealand by 2055. OSPRI’s TMA. It is not a formal notice of any The Remutaka-Hutt TMA runs from main goals for TB control in the specific operation. All operation dates Kaitoke in the north, to Pencarrow Head, Remutaka–Hutt area are: provided are provisional and subject to consultation. Baring Head and Turakirae Head in the • Maintain TB freedom in livestock south. Most of the western boundary is • TB freedom in possums and the the Hutt River and in the east much of Remutaka–Hutt TMA by 2033 TB HISTORY the boundary is the eastern boundary The Remutaka–Hutt TMA has a long of the Remutaka Forest Park. On the The programme uses possum control, TB history with TB present in cattle eastern side of the TMA are the bush regular herd testing and movement herds since the 1980s. The highest covered hills and mountains of the restrictions to control TB. When number of infected herds were found Remutaka Range. The urban populations planning for operations wild animal in the Mangaroa and Kaitoke areas. surveys, TB history, herd testing of Hutt City and Upper Hutt City are Infected wildlife has been found results and past operation history either in, or very close to, all the in the west of TMA, which are on the are all used to determine the level parts of the TMA. A total of 31 infected edges of the shrub and gorse covered of control required to eradicate TB. possums have been caught since 1996 Eastern Hutt hills. Mangaroa Valley, The TBfree programme is delivered with the two most recent caught in 2012. Whiteman’s Valley and Moores Valley through TB management areas (TMAs). Nine TB pigs have been caught in the are all included within the 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 5,400 Mangaroa Kaitoke Ground control 2020/2021 1,300 Wainuiomata South Ground control 2021/2022 3,200 Hutt Valley Aerial control 2021 15,400 Orongorongo, Wainuiomata South 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 and deer and to ensure further good keep possum numbers CONTROL HISTORY progress towards disease eradication. low over multiple years Aerial control has been undertaken to break the TB cycle. in Featherston Crown, Featherston to Waiorongomai Crown and parts of the THE METHOD TESTING WILDLIFE Mangaroa Kaitoke areas, most recently AERIAL CONTROL We test wildlife to check if in 2018. Some areas such as Hutt Valley, Possum control is mostly done by TB still exists. The animals Orongorongo, Moores Valley and contractors using ground-based traps will be checked for signs of Wainuiomata South have had very and hand-laid toxins such as cyanide. TB. Samples may be grown little or no control. In some areas the most efficient method in a laboratory. If TB is found, of control is aerial, and this involves you will be told by TBfree. POSSUM the application of baits containing biodegradable 1080 from helicopters. POPULATION Aerial control is efficient, cost effective TB ERADICATED ASSESSMENT and extremely successful at knocking possum numbers down to very low Before control work is carried out, levels. For more information on the an 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 and traps operation’s success. From the results, to carry out this possum control operation. OSPRI can assess whether further possum control work needs to be Different toxins are used depending done in the area. on the size and terrain of the operational area. Toxins will either be placed in bait stations, stapled TARGETING to trees in biodegradable bags or POSSUMS hand-laid. Contractors will consult with landowners on which toxin To eradicate bovine TB from possum will be used to ensure the safety populations, possum numbers need to of livestock, pets and native animals. be kept extremely low – around one to two animals every ten hectares. There are many different types of Previous possum control and livestock traps, such as leg-hold or kill traps. disease management has dramatically In choosing the right one, we will reduced the number of infected herds take into consideration ease of access, in the Wellington region. However, set-up and maintenance time, animal monitoring has shown that further welfare factors and the potential risks control work is needed in the Remutaka to livestock, pets and native animals. –Hutt area to reduce the possum On occasion our contractors may also population, to minimise the risk of the use corflute chew cards or wax tags disease spreading through wild animal to identify possum populations where populations and onto farmed cattle control is required. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 CONSULTATION TESTING HERDS OSPRI listens to feedback from Cattle and deer herds are monitored communities, land occupiers and for TB through a combination of herd land users about proposed operations testing and carcass inspection at and notifies planned operations slaughter. The frequency of testing CONTACT well in advance so affected parties depends on the herd’s location, can submit feedback about any management and TB history. DETAILS To check the testing frequency for possible risks or sensitive areas that your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap OSPRI Palmerston North Office need to be managed. OSPRI will always seek the willing cooperation of land PO Box 9078 occupiers when TBfree programme MOVEMENT Terrace End work needs to be carried out on their CONTROL Palmerston North 4441 land. Before any operation begins, P 06 353 2710 affected landowners and occupiers The Remutaka – Hutt TMA is in Wellington Movement Control Area. E [email protected] will be contacted and visited by one That means TB testing is required for of our contractors. Depending on the cattle and deer before they are moved The eradication activities in this methods used and the location of the to another herd or farm. TMA are delivered by specialist operations, consents may be required wildlife and pest control Contractors from the Department of Conservation employed by OSPRI. The contact and Ministry of Health. ACHIEVEMENTS details for the contractor delivering TO DATE are below. OSPRI has made significant progress WHAT NEXT? Central Districts Pest Control Dates and control methods for the towards eradicating TB from vector risk areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since P 06 836 5590 proposed operations are provisional 2011, VRA status has been revoked from and subject to consultation. OSPRI E [email protected] 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million contractors will be in contact with hectares in 14 areas still to be cleared affected landowners and occupiers before freedom from disease in wildlife before any work starts. can be declared. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463.
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