"We really need this virus available this year, in autumn," Mr Woodhead said. It was "imperative", in the national interest, that the virus be given official approval "expeditiously" to counter the growing numbers of rabbits, including in Central Otago, he said in an interview.
The council has approved spending up to $50,000 to co-ordinate the release of the Korean strain (RHDV-1 K5) to counter an upsurge in rabbit numbers, including in Central Otago.
Council environmental monitoring and operations director Scott MacLean outlined the latest progress in gaining official approval to release the variant virus at a recent council meeting, after Cr Michael Laws requested an update.
Mr MacLean said the Environmental Protection Agency had considered the new variant and had no objection to it.
The agency found it was not a new organism but a variant of a virus already present in New Zealand.
The council meeting heard that another approvals body had begun considering the K5 situation, under the country’s Agricultural Chemicals and Veterinary Medicines legislation.
Mr Woodhead was "very pleased" that the "first step in the approval process" had been made, but emphasised the rest of the process should be completed quickly.
That would enable the new variant to be released in a timely, well co-ordinated way this autumn, which was the optimal time of year for release, he said in an interview.
It was "imperative" the best use was made of the new variant, and it would be a "shame" if problems arose because of delays.
He acknowledged the virus would soon be released in Australia, and any lengthy delays in gaining official approval in this country could increase the risk of illegal release here.
Such an outcome would be "hugely disappointing", because it was crucial the new variant was released in a targeted, carefully co-ordinated way, to maximise the impact in reducing rabbit numbers, he said.
