Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,

Contrary to Environment Canterbury's well-publicised reports, Rabbit numbers are reported to be "less abundant", "lowest for 20 years" and "rabbit populations still remain well below the levels seen pre-RHD" as referred to in the following official reports:

Page 2:
https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/reposito...
Page 18:
https://www.orc.govt.nz/media/2380/combi...
Look under heading: Where to Hunt.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/…/hu…/what-to-hun...

It is apparent with the appalling death rate of pet rabbits, 139 from 1st Jan to 12th February in 2018 and that number will rise while we wait RHDV death confirmations in Taranaki and Bay of Plenty, that the use of RHDV is untenable going forward and contrary to Environment Canterbury, Feral Rabbit numbers are under control.

What measures will the minister take to ensure the use of RHDV1a-k5 is rejected ?Especially in light of controlled low rabbit numbers and the Cylap vaccine only being tested for 30 days and on a below required number of test rabbits and the test authors themselves stating that further testing is required, which has not been done and field testing required, which again has not be done. Even the vaccine supplier provides no claim of protection.

Animal Welfare.
It is abhorrent that veterinary Surgeons are not educated properly on the use of the Cylap vaccine and are giving incorrect advice to pet owners. For instance – one vaccination lasts for life, one vaccine another at 4 weeks and a further vaccination at 4 weeks. Vaccine vials being kept for more than 10 hours once opened. One Vet keeping the vaccine vial for a week after being opened. Zoetis states that the vial should be discarded 10 hours after opening – it contains no preservative and efficacy after 10 hours is unknown and untested.
What actions will the Minister take to educate Veterinary Surgeons?

Monitoring and Audit
There seems to be a total lack of central system control, responsibilities and audit over the use of the virus, vaccination education of vets, public education to vaccinate and keep away from dead animals and carcass removal and correct disposal methods by local authorities. We also need resources and education for testing of dead pets to determine if we have an incursion of RHDV2 or RHDV1a Chinese in the same manner as conducted in Australia where all reported RHDV deaths are tested
What measures will the Minister ensure are put in place to correct these failures?

Yours faithfully,

Gary Stephenson

Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,

By law, a response should have been made by March 12, 2018.

Yours faithfully,

Gary Stephenson

Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,

The response to my request has been delayed. by law, the authority should normally have responded promptly and by March 12, 2018

Yours faithfully,

Gary Stephenson

Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,

A reply is long overdue, some 2 months now.

Yours faithfully,

Gary Stephenson