Operational warning signs destroyed

The Animal Health Board (AHB) is concerned the deliberate destruction of warning signs at two ground control operational areas in Westland could have a detrimental outcome.

Chris Pullen, AHB West Coast/Tasman vector programme manager, said the contractors carrying out these operations on behalf of the AHB had erected warning signs in and around the operational areas.

Nearly all of these signs have been destroyed in the past week. “Not only is the removal of these signs both irresponsible and illegal, it also undermines the TBfree programme,” Mr Pullen said.

The AHB follows strict regulations for the public notification of both ground and aerial pest control operations. Warning signs that clearly state what toxins have been used are erected at all operational sites.

In this case, warning signs, detailing that sodium fluoroacetate (1080) had been used in the area, were erected at the Mikonui-Totara operational site. Further signs, detailing that cyanide had been laid in bait stations, were erected at the Waitaha operational site.

These signs were a precautionary measure to inform the public that work is being carried out in the area. They also aimed to remind dog owners not to take their pets into the area while the signs were in place.

The nature of this incident highlights the lengths that some individuals will go to in order to jeopardise the work being carried out by contractors on behalf of the AHB. The matter has now been referred to the police.

Annual maintenance ground control operations in these areas target possums to prevent the spread of bovine TB and protect the West Coast’s $700 million per year pastoral agricultural sector.

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