The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says it has identified the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease as being present in the South Island.

Officials confirmed that dead rabbits found in Central Otago, near Cromwell, have tested positive for the killer rabbit virus. It is believed that the virus is present in at least two other areas in the South Island.

Officials believe that the virus may have been illegally imported some time last week.

Yesterday MAF officials rejected rumours that RCD had been illegally released in the South Island as not supported by any evidence. The rumours came from farmers in the Central Otago and Mackenzie Area who had heard that someone has smuggled RCD on the carcass of an infected animal from Australia.

Many high country farmers are angry at the Ministry's refusal earlier this year to allow the importation of RCD from Australia until more is known about how the disease is transmitted between different species.

RCD was developed in Australia and escaped from isolation. The disease spread rapidly through the rabbit population there and after initial good results in killing rabbits there have been reports that the virus is not effective in some areas with some rabbits building up immunity particularly in wetter climates.

Farmers' groups say that while they can understand the anger of farmers who are being driven off their land by rabbits, but they would not condone anyone breaking the law. Furthermore they say that an uncontrolled release might backfire as without the right weather conditions and other factors the rabbits would not be killed, but would instead build up a resistance.