Introduction
| 1. | The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture has been asked (in accordance with provisions of section 21 of the Animals Act 1967 as saved by section 169 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) to permit the importation of a virulent rabbit calicivirus (which causes calicivirus disease [RCD]) as a biological control agent for the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The request was made by a group representing the Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Otago and Southland Regional Councils, Marlborough District Council, the Office of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and NZ Federated Farmers (Inc) (the Applicant Group). |
| 2. | On 18 December 1995, the Director General delegated his power under section 21 of the Animals Act to the Deputy Director General, (Dr. P.J. O’Hara). This delegation remains in force. |
| 3. | The decision set out below has been based on |
- report prepared by the Chief Veterinary Officer entitled "Application to Import Rabbit Calicivirus disease (RCD) into New Zealand: Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer to the Decision Maker" June 1997. (CVO’s report);
- information outlined in Appendix 1 to this report.
Contact for Enquiries
Manager, Strategic Science Team
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0115
Fax: +64 4 894 0731
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