Clutha Buffer TB Management Area (TMA)

Eradicating bovine TB in NZ

As part of our TBfree programme we deliver our pest control operations through a framework of TB management areas (TMAs). TMAs are areas with known TB infection in livestock and wildlife. Each TMA has a specific TB control plan designed to eradicate TB as effectively as possible.

The Clutha Buffer TMA

The Clutha Buffer TMA covers 113,046 hectares of land east of the Clutha River, from Beaumont Station to Crawford Hills Road.

The topography ranges from relatively gentle farmland through to steep gullies. The habitat is mixed, with areas of developed farmland, scrubby gullies, stands of native bush, tussock and dense regenerating scrub.

History of TB and pest control in Clutha Buffer

Extensive possum control has occurred throughout most of the Clutha Buffer TMA and this has brought the risk of disease to low levels.

We did ground control in:

• Speargrass Creek area in 2015/2016
• the Beaumont, Crawford Hills, Manorburn, Knobby Range, Teviot River and Timaburn areas during 2016/2017, covering over 100,000 hectares, and
• the Teviot River and Timaburn areas in 2020/2021.

We also completed a ferret survey in the Lower and Upper Clutha survey areas in 2020/2021.

Current state

There are no infected herds in Clutha Buffer. However, we are still working to ensure that there is no TB in the wildlife in this area.

The work planned for this year is very targeted:

• The possum control focusses on gullies and waterways where there’s a risk that groups of possums may still be harbouring the disease.
• Our ferret survey focuses on specific areas where more information is needed to be confident the Clutha Buffer TMA can be declared TB-free.

If you're moving animals

The Clutha Buffer TMA is in the Coastal/Central Otago Movement Control Area. Before you move cattle or deer to another herd or farm, you must have them tested for bovine TB.

Future pest control operations

We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2021 to June 2022.

Dates and control methods for pest control operations in the Clutha Buffer TMA are provisional and subject to change. If you’re affected by any upcoming operations, our pest control contractors will contact you before work begins. They will:

• talk you through the specifics of each operation
• explain what you need to do before the operations start
• get your consent for the work to be done.

Map of 2021/2022 pest control operations

The proposed areas for ground control are marked in green on the map, and the proposed areas for survey operations are marked in blue.

Contacts

Excell Biosecurity manages eradication activities in the Clutha Buffer TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

Excell Biosecurity
Phone: 0508 392 355
Email: ssi.excell@excell.co.nz

Your nearest local OSPRI office is in Dunedin.

OSPRI Dunedin office
PO Box 5745
Moray Place
Dunedin 9058

Phone: 03 477 9829
Email: cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz