30 May 2013 Links with industry to deliver animal pest control options

The Centre for Wildlife Management and Conservation at Lincoln University delivers the next generation of tools for the management of introduced pests and to enhance conservation efforts both within New Zealand and internationally. The Centre is meeting head-on the challenge of coupling academic and applied research with product development.

The delivery of new tools for animal pest control is a specialist field. Few groups, nationally or internationally, have the breadth of skills to take research on new toxins and delivery systems ‘over the line’ – a lengthy process requiring approval by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agricultural Compounds & Veterinary Compounds Group and the Ministry for Primary Industries, which requires persistence and acumen.

Most recently, in collaboration with a national company, Connovation Ltd, and with funds from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand Animal Health Board and the Department of Conservation five new products have been registered to use against animal pests. Specifically, two new toxins, para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and zinc phosphide are approved for predator and possum control, respectively. The use of Feratox® was also extended to help farmers with wallaby problems and new possum and rodent baits have emerged.

The focus of the Centre is currently shifting to the adoption and refinement of best practice for these tools and seeking new and more discrete delivery systems to achieve animal pest control targets, TB vector management and conservation gains. Helping provide more tools in the tool box for animal pest control protects and enhancing both native species (eg kiwi) and threatened species internationally.

For more information, read the full article on page 27 of the University’s research profile publication Transform.