OSPRI | SPECIAL PROJECTS <strong>2014</strong>/<strong>2015</strong> Collaborative Initiatives OSPRI partners with its shareholders on a range of scientific, technical, industry and government agencies to achieve greater benefits through co-investment and alignment of priorities. Examples include joint research and projects on pest control methodologies, surveillance mechanisms, pest control operations, livestock traceability systems development, traceability approaches and verification, animal health, and emergency animal disease response and management. OSPRI continues to contribute to a number of collaborative initiatives with the Ministry for Primary Industries, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Deer Industry New Zealand, the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand, the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Veterinary Association of New Zealand, the Red Meat Profit Partnership, the National Science Challenge, Landcare Research, AgResearch and with Massey, Auckland, Waikato, Lincoln and Otago Universities. Some examples of collaborative initiatives during <strong>2014</strong>/<strong>2015</strong> are discussed here. PEST MANAGEMENT WORK WITH REGIONAL COUNCILS OSPRI collaborates with regional councils for the successful implementation of the TBfree programme across the country. Alongside this, it is recognised that there is a natural alignment with the role and leadership of regional councils in improving biodiversity outcomes through targeted landowner and public land pest control initiatives. This year, successes included Wellington, where no TB-infected wildlife was found, and the Otaki eradication zone which was declared free of TB. Canterbury also had a successful year with the Overton vector control zone eradicated of TB, adding to the almost 290,000 hectares of TB risk area already eradicated from Canterbury since 2011. Looking to the future, OSPRI has identified opportunities to work with the local government sector. This includes co-investment and joint delivery of aligned activities – including the implementation of multi-species control programmes such as the programme recently completed in Wairarapa with the support of the Wellington Regional Council. It is vital OSPRI and regional councils work together to achieve better results for primary industries. A NEW APPROACH FOR DETERMINING TB FREEDOM IN POSSUMS In collaboration with Landcare Research, OSPRI implemented a field trial for determining when an area may be declared free of TB. This project was based on utilising wide-scale surveillance work to inform the subsequent control operation, and was made possible by recent technological advances in OSPRI’s approach to our surveillance work. This strategy was commenced as a research experiment, but then applied on a larger scale by combining the trial with a planned possum control operation covering over 6,500 hectares of the Hokonui Hills in Southland. The results confirmed a 99% probability that TB has now been eradicated in possums in the Hokonui Hills. The trial was an example of using research findings to achieve TB eradication results at lower cost. OSPRI field staff work closely with researchers to ensure that our operational decisions are supported by sound science and that there is direct uptake of research knowledge and any new technologies or approaches in the field. 34
OSPRI | SPECIAL PROJECTS <strong>2014</strong>/<strong>2015</strong> Image courtesy of the NZ Story 35
Change language