Big response to call for pest control contractors

Media release
19 April 2011

Big response to call for pest control contractors

A nationwide call by the Animal Health Board (AHB) for potential new possum and ferret ground control contractors has returned nearly 100 responses.

The AHB's aim is to enhance its pool of pre-qualified contractors across New Zealand that can be called upon to apply for specified ground control work.

Robert Allen, AHB Contracts Manager, said some particularly high quality applicants had replied to newspaper advertisements, inviting them to make an expression of interest.

"We received a large and diverse range of applications from some highly-qualified and promising potential pest control contractors," said Mr Allen.

"Three contractors from this batch of applicants have already been assigned to possum and ferret ground control programmes throughout the country.

"Many of the applicants have a passion for the outdoors and some are looking for a healthier work lifestyle and more job satisfaction than they perhaps get in their current occupation.

"We received applications from a wide variety of backgrounds, including those who are new to the industry and those who are thinking about starting up their own small-scale pest control business," said Mr Allen.

The AHB is now in the process of sending an information pack to each applicant. Once their interest in the role has been confirmed, the AHB may help them to become a qualified ground control contractor.

"Ground-based pest control methods, such as trapping, surveying and monitoring, form an important part of the TBfree New Zealand programme," said Mr Allen.

The call for contractors complements the AHB's updated bovine tuberculosis (TB) control strategy. The strategy aims to eradicate the disease from wildlife across 2.5 million hectares of the area known to be inhabited by TB-infected wild animals, such as possums and ferrets.

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