Southlanders have an opportunity to tell Environment Southland what they think about rabbits, possums, gorse, broom and other pests.

A new Regional Pest Management Plan is being developed and this is an opportunity for people to have their say on how pests are managed in the region – which pests should be included, how new pests can be prevented from coming in, and when is pest management a community or landowner responsibility.

Biosecurity manager Richard Bowman says the new plan will set the scene for pest management in Southland for the next 10 years and it is important to get it right.

A downloadable document, Getting the Best from Pest Management, outlines the plan’s background and highlights topics for discussion. Feedback can be provided by using the form in the document, by visiting the Environment Southland website or by contacting the biosecurity team via phone or email.

The deadline for feedback is 31 March 2016. The information received will be collated and considered, and a draft plan prepared for public consultation.