The economic benefits of the possum control area programme

Abstract

The Possum Control Area (PCA) programme operated by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council under the Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS) is a subsidised ""selfhelp"" scheme for possum control in areas where 75 percent of landowners support formation of a PCA. All landowners within the area are bound by the conditions of the programme with respect to maintenance control once the PCA is established, while the HBRC is responsible for the initial knockdown operation. This study was commissioned into the economic impacts of the programme on the farming operations of its farmer stakeholders and their views on the operation and management of the programme. The study involved a review of the literature on the impacts of the possum in New Zealand, a series of interviews and focus groups with PCA farmers during November 2005, and a postal survey of all PCA members in early 2006.