The public is being invited to an information day on Tuesday to learn about a bovine tuberculosis possum-control operation planned for the Silver Peaks in May-June and the wider issue of pest control.
Animal Health Board vector programme manager Brent Rohloff said the planned 10,000ha Silver Peaks operation would mix both ground and aerial control in a bid to reduce possum numbers and the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in wildlife.
Mr Rohloff said the information day, being held at the Pacific Park Hotel in Dunedin, would allow the public to learn more about how the board managed bovine Tb, and to ask questions from Department of Conservation (Doc) staff about the biodiversity benefits of pest control. Details of the Silver Peaks operation would also be available.
Meanwhile, traditional adversaries Federated Farmers and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society have joined forces to educate the public about the importance of controlling mammalian pests, starting with the role and importance of 1080 poison.
The initiative is organised by the Pest Control Education Trust and supported by Doc and conservation and farming organisations.
Its first project was the launch of a website, www.1080facts.co.nz
