Myxomatosis introduction supported

Press, 8 July 1983, Page 2

Myxomatosis introduction supported

The introduction of the disease, myxomatosis, to kill rabbits has again been demanded by South Island pest destruction boards at their annual conference in Christchurch this week. The conference yesterday passed a motion, by 61 votes to 53, which called for “all haste” to be made in introducing myxomatosis, in view of the ever-increasing costs of present destruction methods. The possible reduction of Government funding for pest destruction was one factor cited by many who spoke in favour of myxomatosis. One concern of those against its introduction was the possible eventual loss of 1080 poison as a weapon, should myxomatosis be favoured.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Agriculture, Mr Austin, told the conference that he would recommend to the Government that funding for pest control for 1984-85 be kept at $7 million. The level of Government funding has been $7 million a year for three years, including the present financial year.

Mr Austin drew attention to the review of pest destruction now being con-

eluded. He alerted board members to the possibility of changes in the system. Mr Austin said he gave the indication of 1984-85 funding in advance of the publication of the review, which should be in his hands by the end of this month, because of the need for boards to know in July and August what funds would be available for the next financial year. Other remits to be passed by the conference included a call for a prohibition on the keeping of all pet rabbits. Two remits seeking clear indications of government policy and funding for pest control were also carried. A remit from the Southland Pest Destruction Boards’- Council calling for a maximum pest board rate of $1.20 a hectare was lost. The remit called for a repeal of the recent amendment to the Agricultural Pests Destruction Act, 1967, which removed the legal maximum rate which may be levied. Another remit lost was one calling for the wallaby to be made a pest of national importance. But a remit to provide “adequate funds to enable the South Canterbury Wallaby Board to effectively carry out its policy” was carried.