AERIAL TB CONTROL
OPERATION
KAWEKA EAST 2016
OSPRI’S TBFREE
PROGRAMME
HOW WE CONTROL TB
OSPRI’s TBfree programme aims
to manage and eventually eradicate
bovine tuberculosis (TB) from
New Zealand’s farmed cattle and
deer and wild animal populations.
Controlling the disease prevents
livestock production losses and
protects the world leading reputation
of New Zealand’s dairy, beef and
PEST MANAGEMENT
deer products. To achieve this
objective, OSPRI uses possum control,
Reduces pests which
along with regular herd testing and
carry and spread TB
movement restrictions.
Information gathered from wild animal
surveys, recent and historic findings
of TB in wild animals, herd testing
results and the pest control history
of the region is used when planning
operations.
MOVEMENT
DISEASE
RESTRICTIONS
CONTROL
TARGETING
Stops the spread of TB from
Identifies and
POSSUMS
infected or high risk animals
manages infected herds
We’re running a possum control
operation in the Kaweka East area.
Possum control has dramatically
reduced the number of infected herds ten hectares. Recent monitoring
in the Hawke’s Bay region. This area
WHAT TO EXPECT
has shown that control work is needed
has not received pest control from
in the Kaweka East area to reduce
The Kaweka East operation is
OSPRI before.
the possum population and minimise
scheduled to take place in autumn/
To eradicate bovine TB, possum
the risk of the disease spreading
winter 2016, depending on the
numbers need to be kept extremely
through wild animal populations
weather, and will cover approximately
low – around one to two animals every to farmed cattle and deer.
15,600 hectares.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme
tbfree.co.nz
0800 482 463
The operation will begin with the
THE METHOD
be contacted and visited by our
distribution of non-toxic, tan-coloured
contractors. They will discuss
cereal pellets by helicopter. This ‘pre-
The vast majority of possum control
boundary issues, water supply safety
feed’ gives possums a taste for the
in the region is done by local
and the management of any risks
pellets and overcomes bait shyness.
contractors using ground-based traps
to dogs and livestock. Consents from
and hand-laid toxins. The remaining,
One to two weeks later (weather
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, the
far smaller area, is controlled using
permitting), toxic green cereal pellets
Department of Conservation and
aerially applied pellets containing
coated with deer repellent – each
Ministry of Health are required for
biodegradable 1080.
containing 0.15% biodegradable
this operation. Affected landowners
sodium fluoroacetate (also known as
Aerial control is highly-efficient,
and occupiers will be contacted again
1080) – will be applied by helicopter
cost-effective and has been extremely before the operation starts, notices will
at a rate of two kilograms per hectare. successful at knocking possum
be published in local newspapers and
numbers down to the very low levels
That’s about one bait to every
warning signs will be placed at all likely
needed to eradicate TB from wildlife
60 square metres.
access points to the operational area.
and declare areas free of TB. It is
The Kaweka East operation will be
preferred in areas like Kaweka East
subject to strict safety, quality-
due to the rugged nature of the
assurance and monitoring requirements.
terrain.
Advanced GPS navigational
The Parliamentary Commissioner
equipment will be used to ensure
for the Environment supports aerial
the pellets are accurately placed and
control. The Commissioner completed
identified exclusion zones are avoided. an extensive review into the use of
1080, in which she strongly endorsed
its continued use in New Zealand.
Please visit pce.parliament.nz
to read this report.
BIODIVERSITY
WHAT
BENEFITS
HAPPENS
The operation will have additional
NOW
conservation benefits for native
birds and bush. Possums eat the
The Kaweka East operation is scheduled
forest canopy and prey on native
to begin in May/June 2016. A contractor birdlife, including eggs and chicks.
will be doing the work on behalf of
Biodegradable 1080 is also extremely
OSPRI’s TBfree programme.
effective at controlling other
Before the operation, all landowners
introduced predators which destroy
Baits covered in deer repellent. The non-toxic
and occupiers within and adjacent
our native species, such as ship rats
pre-feed pellets are brownish-tan while the
toxic baits are green.
to the proposed control area will
and stoats.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme
tbfree.co.nz
0800 482 463
TBfree is an OSPRI programme
tbfree.co.nz
0800 482 463
IMPORTANT
WHAT TO
INFORMATION
DO IF YOU
SUSPECT
POISONING
Warning signs will be placed
to sell meat products that have
Contact your local hospital
at all main access points to the
been exposed to 1080. Hunting can
or doctor, or
dial 111
operational area and everyone
resume approximately four months
National Poisons Centre
must follow the cautions on
following the control work.
0800 POISON (764 766)
the signs. There’s no health risk
when using this area as long
Please observe these rules
If a domestic animal is
as you follow these instructions:
whenever you see warning signs
poisoned, contact a local
about the pesticide. Warning signs
Do not handle any bait or allow
veterinarian.
indicate that pesticide residues may
children to wander unsupervised.
still be present in baits or animals.
Cereal baits containing 1080 are
When the signs are officially
dyed green.
removed, you can resume normal
Do not hunt or take game from
activities in the area. Free dog
within a two kilometre radius
muzzles will be provided on request.
of the operational area for human
Please contact Debbie Viner on
or pet consumption. It’s an offence
06 353 2712 to obtain a muzzle.
Do not bring dogs into the area until the
warning signs have been officially removed.
FURTHER
Dogs are particularly susceptible to 1080.
INFORMATION
They must not be allowed access to bait
OSPRI
or poisoned carcasses which remain toxic
Conservation House
to dogs until they have fully decomposed.
59 Marine Parade
Napier
P 06 833 6696
E [email address]
THERE IS NO
tbfree.co.nz | ospri.co.nz
RISK TO PUBLIC
Contractor
DRINKING WATER
Epro Limited
Biodegradable 1080 is highly soluble
Operations Controller
and does not persist in water or
P 07 378 4852
soil. Local health authorities apply
E [email address]
strict conditions to aerial operations
so that drinking water supplies
For more information
are not contaminated. Safety has
on controlling bovine
been confirmed by tests on several
TB and why 1080 is
thousand water samples taken
used in New Zealand,
after aerial 1080 operations over
visit 1080facts.co.nz
many years.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme
tbfree.co.nz
0800 482 463
