The whole of the South Island may be declared a control area, as MAF tries
to stop the spread of the rabbit virus RCD to the North Island.
MAF is considering the move as it would make transferring the virus to the
North Island illegal.
MAF chief vet, Barry O'Neil, says there is still no visual or scientific
evidence of RCD in the North Island. He says until there is, MAF will
continue to look at the option of placing the South Island under control to
try to stop it spreading to the North.
Meanwhile a McKenzie Country farmer is admitting he and other farmers
have been actively spreading the RCD virus for two months.
Peter Innes, who farms Black Forest Station on the edge of Lake Benmore
says the virus has been passed around through the farmers network and a
lot of others have been using it.
He says it's been spread by injecting rabbits, and also by putting it in rabbit
feed. But he says they've done nothing illegal in moving the virus around the
country, and the only illegal act was bringing it in to New Zealand.
Yesterday two McKenzie country farmers announced they've been
spreading the disease for at least two months, but have denied breaking the
law by importing it. A decision on whether to continue attempts to contain
RCD will be made by Cabinet on Monday.
Meanwhile MAF is still hunting for the importer with a view to prosecuting.