Possum Control Areas
Possums were first introduced into New Zealand around 1837 to establish a fur trade. Since then possums have managed to populate a large percentage of New Zealand.
Possums damage and destroy our native bush, damage commercial forest plantings and crops and are a known to be a vector of Bovine Tuberculosis (TB).
Possums are capable of consuming a significant amount of pasture, stock-feed and crops, which impacts negatively on the economic production of farms.
Possums are on the increase in many areas of Southland. More are now found squashed on the roads as well as found eating rose gardens and keeping people awake by being a nuisance on house roofs.
Under the council's Regional Pest Management Strategy, possum control is a landowner responsibility. In order to support and assist landowners to control possums on their properties Environment Southland Biosecurity staff help coordinate and establish Possum Control Areas (PCAs). PCAs will ensure coordinated possum control is carried out over a larger area or community by groups of landowners using effective control methods.
By controlling possums we will see healthier bush, with less damage to trees and plantings, greater pasture and crop production and less risk of disease such as Bovine Tb.
In establishing a PCA, Biosecurity staff will be available for advice and information and will inspect properties to identify possum habitat and to help develop possum control options. Environment Southland will also supply agreed possum control materials to PCAs at a reduced cost. Landowners either have the option of engaging an experienced pest control contractor to carry out the work (Environment Southland can supply contact details) or use farm labour and carry out the control themselves (Environment Southland will provide on farm advice and training). At a minimum, possum control would be required or expected to be carried out at least annually in each PCA.
Environment Southland will periodically monitor and track the success of the PCA possum control projects. This information will assist Environment Southland and landowners to see that possum control is meeting its target or help identify areas where further effort may be required. Ongoing support and coordination of PCA projects will also occur, as will the supply of control materials at reduced cost.
Landowners keen to be part of a PCA or to find out more can contact our Biosecurity Pest Animal team on 0800 76 88 45.
Biosecurity staff can also provide advice on the control of possums in the urban environment. Environment Southland has a limited supply of materials that can either be purchased or used on loan.
Latest News
You can read the latest information about the PCAs and the work being done by our Biosecurity team by downloading the Possum Press below
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Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.