Control of animal and plant pests is vital to protect Canterbury's largely agricultural economy. This work is also a key part of protecting Canterbury's indigenous biodiversity and natural habitats.
Animal pest threats to production from land
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (myxomatosis) is becoming gradually less effective in controlling rabbits, so a broader range of control methods is required to keep rabbit numbers down to acceptable levels. Continued effort is also required to control wallabies within the wallaby containment area. Ongoing effort is also required to eradicate a small residual rook population.
Plant pest threats to production from land
Containing the spread of plant pests such as gorse and broom, and reducing infestations of nassella tussock, requires ongoing effort to ensure that land is not lost from production. Ongoing effort is required to eliminate plants identified in the total control plant pest programme.
Animal and plant pest threats to biodiversity
Protection of indigenous biodiversity requires ongoing management to limit the impact of animal pests and the spread of specific plant pests such as wilding conifers, boneseed, old man’s beard and wild thyme.
Decline in regional biodiversity
Pests, including wilding conifers, boneseed, possums and feral goats, threaten biodiversity values. Land and water management practices can also impact on biodiversity values. Both can result in loss of species and habitat, which can be difficult to reverse. Appropriate management to limit these impacts is often necessary.
Bovine Tb programme
In areas where the bovine Tb control programme has been successful, national level funding will cease. This means communities will need to consider how to maintain pests at low levels and ensure benefits to biodiversity are not lost. Following the shift to greater Animal Health Board control of the Canterbury portion of the national programme, ratepayers have considered whether it is still appropriate for Environment Canterbury to continue collecting targeted rates for bovine Tb to contribute the local share to the national programme. A decision on this has been deferred until the outcome of the National Pest Management Strategy, due in 2009, is known.
New pest incursions
The ongoing threat of introduction of new plant and animal pests requires vigilance, and co-ordination with communities and government agencies. Climate change may also contribute to the introduction of new pests, as a result of warmer temperatures.