McKelvie Ian: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMcKelvie Ian: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 09 June 2016. Volume:714;Page:11864. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Primary Industries: How will Budget 2016 support the eradication of bovine tuberculosis?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Budget 2016 confirms almost $70 million of new funding over the next 4 years to help eradicate bovine tuberculosis. Together with the primary industries sector we have made great progress in tackling this destructive disease. Since 2002 the number of infected cattle herds has reduced by 90 percent and infected deer herds are down by 95 percent. TB has been cleared from wild animals in more than 1.2 million hectares of forest since 2011. This new funding will help achieve the goal of eradicating bovine TB from cattle and deer by 2026.Ian McKelvie: What are the benefits of eradicating TB from New Zealand?Hon NATHAN GUY: The benefits of eradicating TB include helping to protect our livestock production and value and maintaining New Zealand’s reputation in international markets. An independent economic analysis states that the TB plan will provide $11 in benefits for every $1 invested. This includes financial trade and biodiversity benefits. Having a clear target for eradication is welcomed by farmers who have spent many years and millions of dollars fighting this disease.Ian McKelvie: How does this funding differ from previous funding for TB management?Hon NATHAN GUY: This new funding aligns with an amended TB plan which is being reviewed and modernised. The new plan is more targeted. It has a scientific risk-based approach. It is a fundamental shift from containing the disease to active eradication of the disease in livestock and wildlife. That is great news for taxpayers and farmers who contribute around 60 percent of the funding out of their own pockets.Hon Damien O’Connor: Who is going to fund the $4 million shortfall that he has appropriated through this last Budget?Hon NATHAN GUY: Well I have just had an hour and three-quarters in front of the select committee this morning and that question was not even raised by that member. I do not know what he is on about.Hon Trevor Mallard: Did an agency he has responsibility for inject possums with TB release them into the wild and then state that “We probably captured about a quarter of the exposed possums.”; if so does that mean that three-quarters of the deliberately TB-infected possums were not recaptured?Hon NATHAN GUY: That member has been out in the public domain scaremongering. There was a scientific research programme by Landcare Research in the Ōrongorongos. Twelve infected possums were released. My understanding is that 6 months later 12 infected possums were captured and euthanised. Importantly this is scientific evidence that allows us to adopt a new risk-based plan. It is very important that this happens and actually TB is rife in this area.Hon Trevor Mallard: I seek leave to table journal articles which come from scientific journals beyond paywalls that indicate that the scientists were unable to note the rate of secondary infections of possums.Mr SPEAKER: Before I put the leave I just want to know how many journals the member—Hon Trevor Mallard: There are four separate ones.Mr SPEAKER: I am putting the leave in total. Leave is sought to table those four journal articles. Is there any objection? There is none.Documents by leave laid on the Table of the House.Hon Trevor Mallard: One further journal article which—Mr SPEAKER: You are seeking leave to table?Hon Trevor Mallard: Yes. One further one that indicates that the average spread of an infected possum is 6 kilometres a year which indicates that they would be 30 kilometres from the site—Mr SPEAKER: Order! It has been well described. I put the leave. Leave is sought to table that further journal article. Is there any objection? There is none. You will now all be very well informed.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.