New Zealand is set to import the deadly rabbit calicivirus
disease from Australia for scientific research, Trade minister
Lockwood Smith said yesterday.
In Canberra, Dr Smith said RCD had already been illegally
introduced into New Zealand, presumably from Australia,
and proved highly effective in killing rabbits.
Possession of the virus and spreading it had now been legalised,
he said, and farmers were being advised on how to mix it and use
it more effectively. "At this stage, we'll probably bring the
Australian form of the virus in for scientfic research work," he said.
"It seems that, in New Zealand, we have an effective version
of the strain. And consequently, the best thing to do seems
to be to spread it."
Dr Smith was speaking after trade talks with Australia's Trade
Minister Tim Fisher.
RCD was released in Australia after the virus broke out of its
field control station on a South Australian island. the disease
causes blood clots in major organs, which block the rabbits
blood vessels and cause death from heart and respiratory failure.
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