Pursuant to the Biosecurity (Bovine Tuberculosis–Otago Land Levy) Order 1998 made under the Biosecurity Act 1993, a levy is payable to TBfree New Zealand by the occupiers of all rural landholdings four hectares or more in area in the Otago region.

The purpose of the levy is to partially fund TB vector control operations in Otago under the National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Plan.

For the 2015/16 financial year, the single rate of levy payable is 0.01050% ($10.50) per $100,000.00 of the property land value recorded in the district valuation roll on 1 July 2015 (GST exclusive).

For the purpose of calculating the levy payable, no property shall be valued at more than $5,000.00 per hectare.

Where the levy payable is less than $10.00 excluding GST for the property, the occupier is exempt from payment of the levy and will not receive an invoice.

Land occupiers will be invoiced by TBfree New Zealand for levies payable on or after 1 February 2016.

The due date for payment of levies is 31 March 2016.

MICHELLE EDGE, Chief Executive, TBfree New Zealand Limited.