ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM EAST TAUPO - OSPRI
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ERADICATING
BOVINE TB FROM
EAST TAUPO
JULY 2018 | VERSION 2.0
TB MANAGEMENT
AREAS
TMA Boundary
The TBfree programme aims to
control and eventually eradicate
bovine tuberculosis (TB) from
New Zealand by 2055.
We use possum control, along with
regular herd testing and movement
restrictions, to achieve this objective.
Information gathered from wild animal
surveys, recent and historic findings
of TB in wild animals, herd testing
results and the operational history
of the region is used when planning
operations.
The TBfree programme is delivered
through TB management areas
(TMAs). These areas were created
based on the likely or possible
presence of TB in wildlife, similar
habitat features, known disease
patterns, geography and control
history. Each TMA has a specific
TB control plan designed to eradicate
TB as effectively as possible.
A TMA is made up of one or more
Vector Control Zones (VCZs) within
which possum control or wildlife
survey operations may be carried
out from year to year, depending
All operation dates provided are eastern edge of Lake Taupo and
on wild animals present, habitat,
provisional and subject to consultation. is predominantly exotic pine forest.
progress toward TB eradication
It extends south down the shores
and available funding.
This notice provides an overview EAST TAUPO of Lake Taupo from southern end
of the Taupo township to Hatepe and
of TB control work planned for the The East Taupo TMA is located in the then east to the farmland of Tararua
East Taupo TMA. It is not a formal Waikato region, south of the Napier and finally northerly to meet Iwitahi,
notice of any specific operation. Taupo Road (SH5) on the north on State Highway 5.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
While possums are the main source
of infection from wildlife it can be
difficult and costly to detect TB in
possum populations. Pigs are good
indicators of TB in possums because
they scavenge widely, so are likely
to get TB from eating TB-infected
possum carcasses. They can’t maintain
TB within their own population, so
if they are infected, it means it’s from
another species. Pig survey results will
help us to tell if TB is still in the area
and whether further possum control
work needs to be done.
CONSULTATION
OSPRI aims to ensure that
© Matt Winter
communities, land occupiers and
land users are notified of planned
EAST TAUPO TARGETING operations well in advance and have
the opportunity to submit feedback
TB HISTORY POSSUMS about any possible risks or sensitive
Sporadic infection in domestic herds To eradicate bovine TB from possum areas that need to be managed.
has been seen in this TMA during populations, possum numbers need OSPRI will always seek the willing
the past 20 years. There have been to be kept extremely low – around cooperation of land occupiers when
multiple TB infected pigs and a TB one to two animals every ten hectares. TBfree programme work needs to
ferret found in the TMA during this be carried out on their land.
Previous possum control and livestock
period, the most recent infected pig disease management has dramatically Before any operations begin, affected
being found in 2009. reduced the number of infected landowners and occupiers will be
herds in the Waikato region. However contacted and visited by one of
CONTROL monitoring has shown that further
control work is needed in the East
our contractors. Depending on the
methods used and the location of the
HISTORY Taupo area to reduce the possum operations, consents may be required
Possum control started in 2001 and population, to minimise the risk of the from the Department of Conservation
disease spreading through wild animal and Ministry of Health.
has maintained a very low possum
population for the past 15 years. populations and onto farmed cattle
and deer and to ensure further good
In 2016 the whole of the East Taupo progress towards disease eradication.
TMA was treated by aerial control.
During 2017 pig surveys were
undertaken across the whole of the PIG SURVEY
East Taupo TMA to collect evidence Before an area can be classed as
to prove freedom from TB. TB-free, surveys are used to assess if
TB is still present in wildlife.
ERADICATION
GOALS OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME
OSPRI’s main goals for TB control Planned control and surveillance management activities
in the East Taupo area are: are outlined in the table below.
• Maintain TB freedom in livestock TYPE OF WHEN?* HOW MANY WHERE?
• TB freedom in possums and the CONTROL HECTARES?
East Taupo TMA by 2022. Pig Survey 2019/2020 15,000 East Taupo (Te Arero)
These goals are ahead of the national Ground Control 2020/2021 150 East Taupo (Te Arero)
objectives of TB freedom in livestock Aerial Control 2020 15,000 East Taupo (Te Arero)
by 2026, and TB freedom in possums Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation.
by 2040. We aim to have eradicated * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June
TB from New Zealand by 2055.
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
THE METHOD A selection of those pigs can be
shot and checked for the presence TESTING HERDS
GROUND CONTROL of TB. Another method, Sentinel Pig Cattle and deer herds are monitored
surveillance, involves releasing an for TB through a combination of
Our contractors will be using toxins
ear-tagged, disease-free pig into an herd testing and carcass inspection
and traps to carry out this possum
area to scavenge local wildlife that at slaughter. The frequency of testing
control operation.
may be carrying TB. The pig is later depends on the herd’s location,
Different toxins are used depending recovered and examined to check management and TB history.
on the size and terrain of the for TB infection. To check the testing frequency
operational area. Toxins will either for your property visit ospri.co.nz/
be placed in bait stations, stapled AERIAL CONTROL dcamap
to trees in biodegradable bags Possum control is mostly done by
or hand-laid. Contractors will consult
with landowners on which toxin
contractors using ground-based traps
and hand-laid toxins such as cyanide. WHAT NEXT?
will be used to ensure the safety In some areas the most efficient Dates and control methods for the
of livestock, pets and native animals. method of control is aerial and this proposed operations are provisional
involves the aerial application of baits and subject to consultation. OSPRI
There are many different types of
containing biodegradable 1080. Aerial contractors will be in contact with
traps, such as leg hold or kill traps.
control is efficient, cost effective and affected landowners and occupiers
In choosing the right one, we will take
has been extremely successful at before any work commences.
into consideration ease of access,
knocking possum numbers down to
set-up and maintenance time, animal very low levels in the past. For more
welfare factors and the potential risks information on the use of this poison
to livestock, pets and native animals. visit 1080facts.co.nz
On occasion our contractors may also
use corflute chew cards or wax tags
to identify possum populations where
POSSUM
control is required. POPULATION CONTACT
PIG SURVEY ASSSESSMENT DETAILS
Our contractors will collect wild pigs Before control work is carried out an
assessment of the wildlife population OSPRI Hamilton office
for disease surveillance, using one
may be undertaken. PO Box 9466
of three proven methods. Pigs may
be ground hunted, trapped or shot Following control work, the possum Waikato Mail Centre
from helicopters for post-mortem population density may also be Hamilton 3240
examination. In some areas, a Judas monitored to assess the operation’s P 07 849 8915
Pig operation may be used: a wild success. From the results, we’ll be E vector.sni@ospri.co.nz
pig, ear-tagged with a transmitter, will able to tell if further possum control ospri.co.nz
lead hunters to other pigs. work needs to be done in the area.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
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