ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM AHAURA JUNE 2019 | VERSION 2.0

The TBfree programme is delivered infected in the TMA as a result of OVERVIEW through TB management areas (TMAs). both wildlife and livestock movement The TBfree programme is delivered Each TMA has a specific TB control plan infection. The most recent wildlife through TB Management areas (TMAs) designed to eradicate TB as effectively related infection was in 2011 in the and aims to control, and eventually as possible. Ngahere area. eradicate, bovine tuberculosis (TB) from New Zealand by 2055. OSPRI’s This notice provides an overview main goals for TB control in the of TB control work planned for this AHAURA Ahaura area are: TMA. It is not a formal notice of any The Ahaura TMA covers 35,700 ha specific operation. All operation dates • Maintain TB freedom in livestock north of Greymouth on the true left provided are provisional and subject of the Grey River from Kaimata to • TB freedom in possums by 2022 to consultation. Waipuna. The area includes the The programme uses possum control, townships of Ngahere, Nelson Creek regular herd testing and movement and Ahaura. The habitat consists of restrictions to control TB. When TB HISTORY open farmland on the Ahaura plains planning for operations wild animal The Ahaura TMA has long history and side valleys, surrounded by large surveys, TB history, herd testing with TB infection. TB infected pigs areas of beech and pine forest, with results and past operation history and possums have previously been willows, blackberry, gorse and broom are all used to determine the level captured in the adjacent Hochstetter along rivers. Altitudes range from just of control required to eradicate TB. Forest area and livestock have been above sea level to 900m.

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 8,800 Ngahere

Ground control 2020/2021 18,000 Grey Valley East, Ngahere

Ground control 2021/2022 18,000 Grey Valley East, Ngahere

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 numbers low over multiple years to break the TB cycle.

TESTING WILDLIFE We test wildlife to check if TB still exists. The animals disease management has dramatically will be checked for signs of CONTROL HISTORY reduced the number of infected herds TB. Samples may be grown Ground based possum control was in the West Coast/Tasman region. in a laboratory. If TB is found, undertaken in 2019 in the Ngahere However monitoring has shown that you will be told by TBfree. block and Grey Valley East in 2015/2016. further control work is needed in the Aerial possum control has previously Ahaura area to reduce the possum been undertaken in 2015 in the Nelson population, to minimise the risk of the TB ERADICATED Creek block and in 2009 in the Ahaura disease spreading through wild animal block. Most recently, pig surveys were populations and onto farmed cattle undertaken in the Ahaura and Nelson and deer and to ensure further good Creek blocks in 2019. progress towards disease eradication. POSSUM THE METHOD POPULATION GROUND CONTROL ASSESSMENT OSPRI contractors will use toxins and Before control work is carried out, an traps to carry out this possum control assessment of the wildlife population operation. Different toxins are used may be undertaken. depending on the size and terrain of the operational area. Toxins will either be Following control work, the possum placed in bait stations, stapled to trees population density may also be in biodegradable bags or hand-laid. monitored to assess the operation’s Contractors will consult with landowners success. From the results, OSPRI can on which toxin will be used to ensure assess whether further possum control the safety of livestock, pets and native work needs to be done in the area. animals. There are many different types of traps, such as leg-hold or kill traps. In choosing the right one, we will take into TARGETING consideration ease of access, set-up and POSSUMS maintenance time, animal welfare factors To eradicate bovine TB from possum and the potential risks to livestock, pets populations, possum numbers need to and native animals. On occasion our be kept extremely low – around one contractors may also use corflute chew to two animals every ten hectares. cards or wax tags to identify possum Previous possum control and livestock populations where 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 well slaughter. The frequency of testing in advance so affected parties can depends on the herd’s location, CONTACT submit feedback about any possible management and TB history. DETAILS To check the testing frequency for risks or sensitive areas that need your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap to be managed. OSPRI will always OSPRI Christchurch Office seek the willing cooperation of land PO Box 8674 occupiers when TBfree programme MOVEMENT Riccarton work needs to be carried out on their Christchurch 8440 land. Before any operation begins, CONTROL P 03 363 3090 affected landowners and occupiers The Ahaura TMA is in the West Coast Movement Control Area. That means will be contacted and visited by one E [email protected] TB testing is required for cattle and of our contractors. Depending on the deer before they are moved to another methods used and the location of the The eradication activities in this 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? Vector Control Services Dates and control methods for the towards eradicating TB from vector risk areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since proposed operations are provisional P 0508 141 268 2011, VRA status has been revoked from and subject to consultation. OSPRI [email protected] 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million E 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