Myxomatosis - a reply

Authors: Meadows G
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 33, Issue 12, pp 217-218, Dec 1985
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Wildlife
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Biosecurity, Legal/regulation, Viral, Pest/pesticides, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Veterinary profession
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In the September issue (N.Z. vet. J. (1985) 33:154), D. and A.K. Dodd, and Messrs Jackson, Mulvaney, Bishop and Jopp write in support of the introduction of myxomatosis into New Zealand, seeing it “as the only means of protecting the fragile environment of the South Island High Country from complete destruction by the rabbit.” They state that they have researched and accumulated some 120 scientific and technical papers on myxomatosis and rabbit biology, although they neglect to tell us what conclusions they drew from this mass of literature. As one who witnessed the major myxomatosis outbreak in Britain many years ago, and who is vehemently opposed to the introduction of the disease into this country on the grounds that it consititutes cruelty to animals, I would be very pleased to learn just what the authors have gleaned from all their reading. In particular, I would like to know if they have satisfied themselves that rabbits infected with myxomatosis do not suffer: or whether they consider that the deliberate infliction of pain and suffering on a particular species is warranted when money is at stake…

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