Securing the environment and economy against pests. Your business depends on having sound biosecurity strategies.
BBS Ltd offers generalist and specialist biosecurity advice and pest management planning services to help increase farm production and protect important ecological places and wildlife.
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Dunedin scientists find new way to control possums after sequencing genome in world first. [See the link below] Could this be the beginning of the end for possums ravaging New Zealand? Dunedin scientists find new way to control possums after sequencing genome in world first | Newshub
Kaimai Range goat eradication project gets initial funding - BBSL’s Peter Russell has been actively undertaking landowner engagement during the first half of 2025 with those who immediately border the extensive DOC Conservation Park in the northern and southern Kaimai Range, between Karangahake Gorge (SH2) and SH 29 to Tauranga. It’s been a pleasure to meet with a wide range of occupiers and discuss their goat observations and thoughts around eradication on this iconic forest land. “There has never been a better time to seek goat eradication - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity”, says Peter. Read more on the initial funding boost announced in June 2025.
New pest conifer rules for Tasman-Nelson all part of a journey to protect our special places from wilding conifer spread. BBSL was instrumental in developing a new approach for managing pest conifers and cats in the Top of the South. The links below explain some of the end points reached and how we helped shape new policy for pest conifers, feral cats and several other new pest plant threats in the two regions. The snip n chip proposal (original policy advice and development) for Tasman was worked on by BBSL in tandem with Nelson City Council, who are considering a similar bylaw.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350339780/line-sand-drawn-wilding-conifers-and-new-rules-cats
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/snip-‘n’-chip-sought-regions-cats
Read about this great outcome for goat eradication for Banks Peninsula. BBSL associate John Simmons was a hearing commissioner on the Ecan RPMP development in 2017 and was instrumental in pushing harder for this eradication to occur within 10 years.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350209034/gone-goat-pest-milestone-achieved-banks-peninsula
Wilding conifer control - we need to finish the job. Last year the previous government slashed the wilding control national programme by 60-70 % meaning that most projects will struggle to maintain the gains of prior work, let alone tackle new areas. This is money and effort down the drain and needs addressing. Read below what Simon Upton - Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - says about the idiocy of these funding cuts.
Coromandel wilding conifer strategy. The BBSL team undertook an inventory of key wilding pine problem areas across the whole Coromandel Peninsula. Sixty two sites where action was needed were identified and prioritised for management over the next 10 years. High priority sites included those that impact on Maori land and cultural values, biodiversity values and key infrastructure such as the Thames coastal highway. The first control operations are underway by the Waikato Regional Council at new sites, building on prior community and agency efforts. Several novel approaches were identified in the strategy. Read more on the first such operation at Opera Point.
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/364231-conifer-removal-project-at-coromandel-reserve.html
A new to New Zealand pest, gold or Asian clams, were found in May 2023 in the Waikato River between Lake Karapiro, Cambridge and Hamilton. These shellfish will devastate native riverine habitats and clog water supplies and dams. Read these articles to find out more about them. If you come across these dirty white / yellow clams report their location to Better Biosecurity Solutions Ltd or directly to the MPI hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Don’t forget to ‘Check Clean Dry’ any equipment you use (e.g. boats) that comes into contact with water bodies in the Waikato-Taupo-Rotorua area.
Dirty cruise ship could spell disaster for pristine Milford Sound. This article explains why Biosecurity is so important to protect our rich marine life. Think again before you book your next cruise!
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/309642-dirty-cruise-ship-anchored-off-tauranga-coast.html
See also Predator Free Cambridge steps it up - September 2018
https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/life-style/107087047/predator-free-cambridge-looking-to-switch-up-a-gear-after-trapping-300-rats
Peter Russell brings 28 years of experience in leading Biosecurity planning and operational initiatives, forging partnerships, fostering team unity and building enduring relationships.
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“Peter’s programme delivered a highly successful result, for which he can take credit. His leadership qualities and demonstration of initiative to build team spirit and morale are also tremendous.”
