The public is being invited to an information day on Tuesday
to learn about a bovine tuberculosis possum-control operation
planned for the Silver Peaks in May-June and the wider issue
of pest control.
Animal Health Board vector programme manager Brent Rohloff
said the planned 10,000ha Silver Peaks operation would mix
both ground and aerial control in a bid to reduce possum
numbers and the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in wildlife.
Mr Rohloff said the information day, being held at the
Pacific Park Hotel in Dunedin, would allow the public to
learn more about how the board managed bovine Tb, and to ask
questions from Department of Conservation (Doc) staff about
the biodiversity benefits of pest control. Details of the
Silver Peaks operation would also be available.
Meanwhile, traditional adversaries Federated Farmers and the
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society have joined forces
to educate the public about the importance of controlling
mammalian pests, starting with the role and importance of
1080 poison.
The initiative is organised by the Pest Control Education
Trust and supported by Doc and conservation and farming
organisations.
Its first project was the launch of a website, www.1080facts.co.nz
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