1080 drops on Mt Allan, Berwick

Planned 1080 drops on Mt Allan and in the Berwick Forest will not affect the local communities, the organisation behind the operation says.

Ospri NZ confirmed on Wednesday the aerial drops would take place as soon as weather allowed.

The possum control operation is designed to protect cattle and deer herds from bovine tuberculosis (Tb).

The operations would involve pre-feeding possums with non-toxic bait before the aerial application of 1080 bait over about 27,900ha.

Ospri acting corporate communications manager Oliver Bates said the drops would begin as soon as the weather was suitable.

That meant clear weather for the drops and rain during the following days to help break down the biodegradable poison.

The public would be notified of the intended dates of the operation through newspaper advertisements, Mr Bates said.

Land occupiers next to the operations would be directly notified before toxic baiting commenced, he said.

There would be no danger to the public or public activities in the areas if the usual precautions were followed, he said.

Ospri southern South Island programme manager Brent Rohloff said warning signs would be erected at all likely public access points to the area before the operations started.

"None of our operations present any hazard to the public, provided people take reasonable precautions, including adhering to the instructions on the warning signs,'' he said.

"Dog owners are reminded to keep their animals well away from areas where warning signs are present. It will not be safe to take dogs into the area until all of the warning signs have been officially removed.''

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