ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the social history of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) in New Zealand, an introduced disease that promised to revolutionise rabbit control. The Ministry of Agriculture, the agency charged with making the decision about the introduction of RCD into New Zealand, adopted a decision-making process which involved more extensive consultation than was required by legislation. With the media images of 'rabbit smoothies', 'kitchen whizz' strains of RCD, white-coated scientists testing for viruses, and farmers holding up dead rabbits, the public received plenty of entertainment and reinforcement of stereotypes of farmers and officials alike. The emotions associated with the consideration of the potential for the kiwi's destruction took root before the public had a chance to learn about the issue in a structured way, and give systematic consideration to RCD as a form of control for the rabbit in New Zealand.
