Rabbits Still A Threat

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32016, 17 June 1969, Page 18

Rabbits Still A Threat

The rabbit position in the South Island is still at a very dangerous stage, according to the president of the South Island Pest Destruction Boards Association, (Mr R. A. Chaffey, of Waiau). In his annua! report to be presented at the annua] conference of the association in Queenstown next month, Mr Chaffey says that because of the dry weather it has been an excellent breeding season for rabbits, but in spite of this most boards had held the population down to the pretty low level of last year and some bad improved their position. In some areas, however, there has been a serious increase. This, Mr Chaffey said, was a stern warning that the rabbit position in the South Island was still at a very dangerous stage. "What amases us all Is that many people, including farmen and members of Parliament, could even think of. let alone suggest, commercialising the rabbit. “In looking back, the one main factor, and the key to the success of rabbit eradication, was the complete devaluation of the rabbit, skin and carcase—the lot. “As long as animal pests have a cash value it is vir-

tually impossible to effectively control them. "During the last 100 years the depredation of the rabbit and the enormous expense involved in endeavouring to eliminate this pest has cost New Zealand many millions of dollars. It is only during the last 25 years that any semblance of control has been achieved. What Is not realised is the number of live rabbits running about the country at the moment. "Rabbit farming would undermine the whole rabbit extermination scheme which, at the moment, is far from complete. It Is terribly important to keep up a relentless killer policy." dation of the Pest DestrucA remit to the conference from the North Otago and South and Mid-Canterbury council urges that, irrespective of the protective methods devised, strong representations should be made to the Government to prohibit the Introduction of rabbit farming, as it was firmly believed that as a consequence all the progress made in rabbit eradication could be in danger of being lost. The Southland council asks that Southland be made a trial area for the “decommercialisation” of the hare and the North Canterbury council urges the association to continue to seek a recommention Council to have wild pigs

declared a pest of local importance In districts where boards request this under the Agricultural Pests Destruction Act Mr Chaffey said the Agricultural Pest Destruction Council would be interviewing all pest destruction boards with a view to suggesting amalgamations in some areas.

Many boards were extremely worried about this and it was only where greater efficiency and a better financial situation could be achieved that it was worthwhile. In many ways a large number of boards was an advantage.