What will happen if RCD is released?
It is difficult to predict what the effects of RCD may be. However, planning for contain-ment of the disease and protection of valued rabbits in the event of an unauthorised entry is proceeding on the assumption that it would spread rapidly throughout the country and decimate the rabbit population. While this may be the case, it appears more likely that an unauthorised entry would have little or no impact on rabbits over most of the country and would persist only in the wild, where rabbits are present in high numbers. If it did persist in the wild, it would probably result in periodic outbreaks of disease when rabbit populations rose above a threshold level. This judgement is based on:
- an apparent lack of vectors to spread the disease in New Zealand (it appears likely that, in a controlled release, RCD would need to be incorporated into a bait so that it could be dispersed); and
- the fact that the disease is usually rapidly fatal (when a disease is quick acting there is little opportunity for rabbits to spread it widely amongst their neighbours).
While there are many uncertainties associated with RCD, one certainty is that it will not be the mythical "magic bullet" that solves the rabbit control problem on its own. Poisoning and hunting will remain important elements in any rabbit control scheme, and if RCD is introduced into New Zealand, it will need to be used in association with these and other control technologies in an integrated pest management strategy.
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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