Federated Farmers is calling for a new type of regional rabbit board to be established to deal with the rapidly escalating rabbit threat.
A delegation of Marlborough high country farmers met the Ministers of Biosecurity, Conservation and Lands this week to seek government support for rabbit control in the worst-affected areas, mainly in the South Island.
Rabbit populations are exploding again in some areas as they become more immune to Rabbit Haemorrhage Disease (RHD), which was illegally introduced in 1997.
The federation's pest control spokesperson, Donald Aubrey, says they are seeking government support and financial backing for autonomous boards to manage the rabbit problem.
However, he says these would be different from the discredited rabbit boards of the past.
Mr Aubrey says the new look rabbit boards would oversee control operations, including the contract growing of poison bait carrots, streamlining resource consents, helping with further research into biological control and liaising with regional councils.
