Rabbit lovers have raised concerns over the proposed release of a new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in the South Island.
Rabbit lovers have raised concerns over the proposed release of a new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in the South Island.
Rabbit lovers have raised concerns over the proposed release of a new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in the South Island.
Paeroa breeder Donna Hanley fears this new virus could not only affect pet rabbits but also breeders.
"We are terrified. This virus is indiscriminate and can be brought up north with people travelling through affected areas via their shoes, clothes, transportation," she said.
RHDV1a-K5 is a Korean strain of the calicivirus RHDV1, illegally imported into New Zealand in 1997 as a biocontrol measure to manage feral rabbit populations.
K5 has been approved in Australia and is due for release in several South Island areas in May-June this year.
Scientists hope it will slash feral populations by 30 per cent.
Two weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) concluded this new virus did not need to be considered as hazardous.
"Under the terms of the [Hazardous Substances and New Organisms] Act, the K5 variant is exempt from regulation because it is not considered a new organism, nor is it considered a hazardous substance," Dr Fiona Thomson-Carter, general manager of the EPA's HSNO Group said.
Donna says she is wary of the lack of long-term trials.
"We have seen the previous virus (RHDV1) has mutated over the years and it took around three months to spread from South to North.
"There are not enough trials to see if the vaccination for the RHDV1 will be efficient on the new strain and was tested for only 30 days," she said.
Donna has been breeding rabbits for seven years and has won ribbons on national shows with some of them.
She regularly visits local schools and rest homes with her rabbits to teach animal care.
"People love them, they touch and cuddle them. It has a beneficial and calming effect on the elderly too, bringing blood pressure down and relaxing people. Rabbits, such as other pets, are quite therapeutic."
She said she is not against pest control but hopes authorities will delay the introduction of K5 until a scientifically, independently peer-reviewed proven vaccine is available in accordance with international standards.
Paeroa rabbit breeder and dairy farmer Donna Hanley. Photo / Melanie Camoin
"There are other solutions to control wild populations. I am quite happy to help to shoot rabbits and this could provide an income to some people.
"Also it is an increasingly popular meat used in restaurants around New Zealand, and K5 could jeopardise this industry as well."
EPA advises domesticated rabbits to be vaccinated. At this stage, a vaccine available in New Zealand, Cylap, is the same used for the previous strain of calicivirus, RHDV1.
"Independent studies conducted by a respected Australian Government agency appear to show that the vaccine is effective against K5. Rabbit owners should speak to their vets about vaccination with Cylap," Zoetis Veterinary operations manager Dr Richard L'Estrange said.
New Zealand Rabbit Council disagrees. "There is no proven vaccine to protect cherished family pets against this new virus and any release should be delayed until a proven vaccine is available to properly tested registration standards. The manufacturer of Cylap, Zoetis are not making claims on the protection of Cylap against K5 and state there is no data on duration of protection of Cylap against K5."
To be introduced in the country, the K5 variant will need to meet the conditions set out under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act and the Biosecurity Act, which are managed by the Ministry for Primary Industries, EPA said.
- Check the online petition about the introduction of the new variant of the rabbit haemorrhagic virus here.
