Also in the Dominion Newspaper [New Zealand ] 24.2.97 it was reported in an article titled "Fears made known, says ministry" it was reported that
"An American scientist who wrote to Prime Minister Jim Bolger outlining his concerns about the deadly rabbit calicivirus was a high profile campaigner against the virus,the Agriculture Ministry has said.
Spokeswoman Debbie Gee said that scientist, Alvin Smith, had discussed his concerns about the virus with the ministry several times.
He was invited by the ministry to provide a written submission against the New Zealand application to import
the virus, which he did.
Dr Smith, of Oregon State University, with another American scientist and two British scientists, was reported
as raising concerns about the virus in New Scientist magazine.
Among their concerns was that the disease, which was killing millions of rabbits in Australia might mutate and infect another species.
They also feared that animals that preyed on rabbits would switch their diet to native animals if rabbit numbers were substantially reduced.
The ministry said the comments were among concerns raised in the nearly 800 public submissions on the application from Federated Farmers and regional councils to liberate the virus in New Zealand. The submissions were being considered as part of a report due on Friday."
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