The Ministry of Agriculture hopes roadblocks will stop the RCD rabbit killer
virus spreading further, but says there is still a confusing picture on how far
the RCD virus has spread.
Attempts to stop the virus spreading in Australia have failed but MAF's
chief vet, Barry O'Neil, says it's hoped the road blocks now in place in
Central Otago will work.
He says they're doing their best to contain the virus and prevent illegal or
accidental spread of the disease.
However Mr O’Neil says MAF is looking at properties as far north as
Marlborough where the killer rabbit virus may have spread.
He says a helicopter surveillance of Central Otago has spotted large numbers
of dead rabbits. But so far only one property has been confirmed with the
virus through laboratory tests.
One of the Cromwell farmers whose farm is quarantined is elated the rabbit
killer virus RCD has arrived.
MAF placed four properties under quarantine yesterday, including that of
farmer Donald Young . Mr Young says he has no idea how the virus has
reached his property. He says the rabbit damage to his farm is horrendous
and he's delighted that RCD is here.
Biosecurity Minister, Simon Upton, doesn't believe the virus is established
here yet and says it's not yet known if RCD will naturally spread rapidly here.
He says the insects suspected of spreading RCD in Australia probably aren't
present in New Zealand.
But an Australian RCD expert, Dr Brian Cook, believes the virus will spread
quickly in New Zealand, but not as quickly as in Australia.
There the virus spread over 50 kilometres a day, and even crossed Bass
Strait into Tasmania. Dr Cook says the climate in New Zealand is different
however.
But he says RCD will probably travel a few kilometers every week, touching
some areas but not others.
Farmers say it's a waste of time trying to stop the RCD virus spreading.
Cromwell farmer Jeff Brown says farmers are in no doubt it's already killing
rabbits in areas beyond the Cromwell quarantine area.
He says from what he's heard the RCD virus has already spread from one end
of the South Island to the other. He says his farm's plagued by rabbits and
it's been the best day of his life.
Meanwhile the Department of Conservation says 29 native species are at risk
from RCD virus.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith says its mostly birds such as the black
stilt and yellow-eyed penguin, which could be targeted by ferrets and wild
cats who normally prey on rabbits. But he says native lizards and insects are
also at risk.