ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM WESTLAND - OSPRI
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ERADICATING
BOVINE TB FROM
WESTLAND
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
provided are provisional and subject and south to the Totara Lagoon,
out from year to year, depending
to consultation. Kumara, Kawhaka, Arahura, Lake
on wild animals present, habitat,
progress toward TB eradication Kaniere, Kokatahi and Kowhitirangi.
and available funding. WESTLAND The habitat type is farmland
interspersed by steep terraces
This notice provides an overview of TB The Westland TMA covers 114,834 ha
control work planned for the Westland between the Taramakau and Hokitika and ridges covered with native
TMA. It is not a formal notice of any Rivers. The area includes Waimea and exotic forest and scrub. Altitudes
specific operation. All operation dates Forest, Hokitika township range from sea level to 1450m.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
• TB freedom in livestock by 2021 they scavenge widely, so are likely
to get TB from eating TB-infected
• TB freedom in possums and the
possum carcasses. They can’t maintain
Westland TMA by 2024.
TB within their own population, so if
These goals are ahead of the national they are infected, it means it’s from
objectives of TB freedom in livestock another species. Pig survey results will
by 2026, and TB freedom in possums help us to tell if TB is still in the area
by 2040. We aim to have eradicated and whether further possum control
TB from New Zealand by 2055. work needs to be done.
TARGETING CONSULTATION
POSSUMS OSPRI aims to ensure that
To eradicate bovine TB from possum communities, land occupiers and
populations, possum numbers need land users are notified of planned
to be kept extremely low – around operations well in advance and have
one to two animals every ten hectares. the opportunity to submit feedback
about any possible risks or sensitive
Previous possum control and livestock
WESTLAND disease management has dramatically
areas that need to be managed.
TB HISTORY reduced the number of infected herds
in the Westland TMA.
OSPRI will always seek the willing
cooperation of land occupiers when
The Westland TMA has a significant
history of TB in livestock and wildlife TBfree programme work needs to
dating back to the 1980s. TB infected PIG SURVEY be carried out on their land.
wildlife has historically been found Before any operations begin, affected
Before an area can be classed as TB-
along the Hokitika River, along the landowners and occupiers will be
free, surveys are used to assess if TB
bush edge of Kokatahi and in the contacted and visited by one of
is still present in wildlife. While
Arahura Valley. our contractors. Depending on the
possums are the main source of
infection from wildlife it can be methods used and the location of the
CONTROL difficult and costly to detect TB in operations, consents may be required
HISTORY possum populations. Pigs are good
indicators of TB in possums because
from the Department of Conservation
and Ministry of Health.
Ground based possum control has
been undertaken almost annually
across the Westland TMA since 2007.
In 2017/2018, Hokitika South, Taipo
OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME
and Kowhitirangi were completed. Planned control and surveillance management activities
During 2015/2016, Arahura, Milltown are outlined in the table below.
North and the Taipo were completed
TYPE OF WHEN?* HOW MANY WHERE?
whilst the Kokatahi West block was
CONTROL HECTARES?
last controlled in 2012.
Ground Control 2018/2019 30,000 Hokitika South, Arahura,
Aerial possum control was completed Kumara Junction, Kokatahi
in 2015 in the Kumara block over West, Taipo
approximately 10,000 ha. In 2013,
Pig Survey 2018/2019 1,400 Milltown South, Turiwhate
aerials were completed in the
Kowhitirangi East, Milltown South, Ground Control 2019/2020 51,300 Arahura, Hokitika, Hokitika
Taipo South and Turiwhate blocks. South, Hokitika West,
The Hokitika West and the Kokatahi Kokatahi West, Kowhitirangi
East aerial blocks were completed West, Kumara Junction,
in 2012 whilst the Blue Spur aerial Milltown North, Taipo
was completed in 2011. Pig Survey 2019/2020 19,200 Kumara, Turiwhate
Some areas such as Ruatapu have Ground Control 2020/2021 57,000 Arahura, Blue Spur, Hokitika
had very little or no control. South, Kowhitirangi West,
Kumara Junction, Milltown
ERADICATION
North, Ruatapu
Pig Survey 2020/2021 19,200 Kumara, Turiwhate
GOALS Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation.
OSPRI’s main goals for TB control * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June
in the Westland area are:
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
2018/19 OPERATIONS
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
THE METHOD surveillance, involves releasing an
ear-tagged, disease-free pig into
WHAT NEXT?
GROUND CONTROL an area to scavenge local wildlife Dates and control methods for the
that may be carrying TB. The pig proposed operations are provisional
Our contractors will be using toxins
is later recovered and examined to and subject to consultation. OSPRI
and traps to carry out this possum
check for TB infection. contractors will be in contact with
control operation.
affected landowners and occupiers
POSSUM
Different toxins are used depending before any work commences.
on the size and terrain of the
operational area. Toxins will either POPULATION
ASSSESSMENT
be placed in bait stations, stapled
to trees in biodegradable bags or
hand-laid. Contractors will consult Before control work is carried out an
with landowners on which toxin assessment of the wildlife population
will be used to ensure the safety may be undertaken.
of livestock, pets and native animals.
Following control work, the possum
There are many different types of population density may also be
traps, such as leg hold or kill traps. monitored to assess the operation’s
In choosing the right one, we will take success. From the results, we’ll be
into consideration ease of access, able to tell if further possum control © Matt Winter
set-up and maintenance time, animal work needs to be done in the area.
welfare factors and the potential risks
TESTING HERDS
to livestock, pets and native animals.
On occasion our contractors may also
Cattle and deer herds are monitored
use corflute chew cards or wax tags
for TB through a combination of herd
to identify possum populations where
control is required.
testing and carcass inspection at CONTACT
DETAILS
slaughter. The frequency of testing
PIG SURVEY depends on the herd’s location,
management and TB history.
Our contractors will collect wild pigs
To check the testing frequency for OSPRI Christchurch office
for disease surveillance, using one
your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap PO Box 8674
of three proven methods. Pigs may
Riccarton
be ground hunted, trapped or shot Christchurch 8440
from helicopters for post-mortem MOVEMENT P 03 363 3090
examination. In some areas, a Judas
Pig operation may be used: a wild CONTROL E vectornsi@ospri.co.nz
ospri.co.nz
pig, ear-tagged with a transmitter, The Westland TMA is in the West
will lead hunters to other pigs. Coast Movement Control Area. Vector Control Services
A selection of those pigs can be As a result, TB testing is required P 0508 141 268
shot and checked for the presence for cattle and deer before they are E info@vcs.net.nz
of TB. Another method, Sentinel Pig moved to another herd or farm.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
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