Rabbit worry for board

Press, 30 March 1989, Page 4

Rabbit worry for board

CHRIS MAHONY,

in Timaru

Drought and Government policies are being blamed for an explosion in South Canterbury’s rabbit population.

The vice-chairman of the South Canterbury Pest Destruction Board, Mr John Murray, said yesterday the rabbit problem was at its worst for at least 10 years, warning that it would have a longterm impact. “It is already severely affecting production. It is affecting the quality of vegetation and hastening the introduction of weed species. The way the Mackenzie Country has changed in the last five years has been bloody disastrous,” he said. Two dry summers and a mild winter are main factors in increased rabbit numbers. This will prob-

ably lead to a big pest board rate increase for farmers in the South Canterbury Pest Destruction Board area.

Last winter the board budgeted to drop 700 tonnes of poisoned carrots — but actually dropped 908 tonnes. It initially expected to drop about 1000 tonnes of poisoned carrots this winter but was now budgeting for 1500 tonnes.

Mr Murray said that even with the big increase the board would not be able to poison “some pretty bad areas.”

Some farmers in the Mackenzie Country are likely to face a pest board rate increase of about 139

per cent within the next two months, according to Mr Murray. Government funding changes had meant less money for pest destruction in South Canterbury when it was most needed, he said.

Mr Murray was pessimistic about winning Government approval for the introduction of myxomatosis to curb the problem.

“The Government has said to wait until its rabbit task force is given a chance. They are talking about a five-year timeframe, but we can’t wait that long. We’re in trouble now.”