Need for new tools to control pests in NZ

Dr Stephen Goldson

''Pests have and are costing the country billions of dollars, both in terms of revenue lost and in control costs.

"There are also very substantial environmental costs associated with loss of native biodiversity and New Zealand's clean, green reputation,'' Challenges for Pest Management in New Zealand co-author Dr Stephen Goldson said.

''Doing nothing is not an option.''

The total direct cost of vertebrate pests such as rats, possums and stoats to the primary sector was estimated to be about $1 billion per year while pastoral weeds were estimated to cost the country $1.2 billion per year.

Losses to aquaculture from a single species was about $15 million, the report said.

Ongoing targeted investment was needed in improved tools and technologies, such as fertility suppression and biological control, to counter increasing pest resistance and the loss of older, now less acceptable pest management tools.

More species-focused biological research was needed so that new approaches could be developed and appropriately targeted, he said.

''It will be necessary to engage early with the public over novel pest control tactics or risk losing the battle for control of pests.''

Research into monitoring and surveillance technologies was also critical, because early detection of pests was essential to successful eradication, Dr Goldson said.

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Need for new tools to control pests in NZ