Hi I am setting up this petition for all rabbit people out there our rabbits are not pests like wild rabbits most people what have rabbits class them as family and we are trying to stop this for the best of the rabbit fancy there must be other ways they can get rid of wild rabbits instead of the virus as they are just going to become immune to this new virus like the last one and then they will try bring out another virus how many so they have to bring out until they realise the wild rabbits are becoming immune after a while then it just puts risk to our pets and rabbit fancy all us rabbit people spend a lot of money to protect our rabbits and still some times the vaccine now is not 100% how would u feel either if u own a rabbit or don't if this gets out and starts killing our rabbits if we all fight together we may be able to stop this I am setting up this petition for all rabbit owners and rabbit lovers out there. Most people who have rabbits cherish them like family members. Our rabbits are not pests like wild rabbits but their RCD deaths are the same. The new virus must not be introduced to New Zealand, especially when the vaccine is currently unavailable outside of Europe. Rabbit owners spend a lot of money to protect our rabbits but the current vaccine is only 80% effective against the current virus. Wild rabbits are becoming immune to the current virus and introducing a new virus puts all pet rabbits at risk. We are against introducing any viruses to New Zealand. 100+ pet rabbits died in Auckland recently and the death toll is rising daily. The deaths are a result of suspected undisclosed market gardeners spraying their crops with RCD or calicivirus. Our food should not be sprayed with RCD or calcivirus and especially without proper public notification. The human impact that domestic rabbit deaths cause include rabbit owners putting themselves, rabbits and their homes under voluntary quarantine (4 months). Quarantine interferes with daily life and quality of life with all family members potentially suffering grief and guilt for unknownglly bringing the virus into the home. “New Zealand scientists are hoping to get permission to unleash a new virus on rabbits which could reduce their numbers by 30 per cent. A new Korean strain of the lethal calicivirus has been tested in Australia and is likely to be approved for use there later this year. Landcare Research scientists say they are hoping to get the go-ahead from the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Environment Protection Authority for a New Zealand release in autumn 2017. Rabbits are a major problem in New Zealand, causing damage to farmland and conservation areas. There are millions of them, and one female can have 45 babies a year. Calicivirus was first introduced into New Zealand in 1997 when South Island farmers illegally imported it from Australia. Although it killed a huge proportion of the population initially, rabbits have largely become immune to it.” – Stuff.co.nz “The painful disease myxomatosis was deliberately introduced to kill rabbits in the early 1950s, and subsequently Rabbit Calicivirus Disease was illegally released in Otago in 1997. Poisoning, gassing and the ripping up of burrows have also been used, with many rabbits dying in agony after being poisoned with 1080. At present, farmers are seeking approval for the release of a Korean strain of RCD - RHDV1-K5 - with plans for it to be introduced in 2017.” – NZ Herald