Chris Pullen, AHB West Coast/Tasman programme manager said the operations - which began in early May in the Grey, Tasman and Westland districts - were completed well ahead of schedule on Saturday.

“Our contractors have done an excellent job of planning these operations to make the most of the fine weather. This has resulted in extremely effective possum control across approximately 120,000 hectares,” Mr Pullen said.

“The aerial operations will now be supported by ground control, using a combination of hand-laid poisons and traps.”

Mr Pullen said follow up work to the operations has included checking major public tracks for bait, taking water samples and checking warning signs as required by the consenting authorities.

“The AHB follows strict regulations governing the public notification of both ground and aerial pest control operations. These regulations require prominent warning signs in areas where poison has been used and where residues may still be present in animal carcases. The signs will remain in position for a minimum period of four months after the operation.

“The AHB urges the public to take heed of the warning signs and, most importantly, keep dogs well away from any operational areas until all warning signs have been officially removed.

“The bovine TB control programme targets possums to prevent the spread of bovine TB and protect the West Coast’s $700 million per year pastoral agricultural sector,” Mr Pullen said