Government Grim Reaper For Birds

Tuesday 3 Dec 2002 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Rural

The Government's refusal to participate in private enterprise could well seal the fate of such species as the blue duck and yellowhead, ACT New Zealand Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Spokesman Gerrard Eckhoff said today.

"The only way to ensure that no more birds are forced to extinction is blindingly obvious - place real value on them and let the markets take over. If landowners throughout the country find they can trade in the blue duck they will, inevitably, build sanctuaries to safeguard the species and, with it, their profit.

"There is not a single species that has been saved by the ban on trading in endangered species, and the Government's refusal to place a true value on birds and animals will lead to species' extinction," said Mr Eckhoff.

"DOC currently pays landowners $300 to raise a single kiwi chick in secure surroundings. If DOC applied that same principle to all our endangered species, it would find that landowners would plant more native bush and build predator fences to benefit from such a trade.

"As long as the Government ignores reality the loss of our wildlife will continue unabated," Mr Eckhoff said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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