1080 Moratorium Urgently Needed to Restore Confidence in Trout Fishery

The Government’s steadfast refusal to put a moratorium on 1080 needs a rethink for the sake of New Zealand’s world renowned reputation as a trout fishery, says New Zealand First.

“The revelation that 1080 is making trout unsafe to eat will not be a message fishing tourists want to hear,” says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“A warning by Fish and Game that trout from back country rivers should not be eaten because of residual 1080 is proof that New Zealand First’s call for an immediate moratorium should have been taken more seriously by the Government.

“We warned that 1080 is a systemic eco-toxin, it gets into the waterways and the repercussions go far beyond the drop zones,” says Mr Peters. “Our trout fishery is a valuable earner, attracting overseas tourists and supporting many jobs. It could be at risk. The National Government has consistently failed to give proper regard or put adequate resourcing into implementing alternatives to aerial drops of 1080.

“Do we really want the world’s tourism sector telling people not to come trout fishing in New Zealand any more because the fish and the rivers are being poisoned by the Government, using a chemical which is banned almost everywhere else?”

“We know that 1080 breaks down in water but only when the water is above 20 degrees Celsius. As has been pointed out, if trout eat mice that have ingested 1080 it doesn’t break down.

“If 1080 has got as far as making the trout in our rivers unsafe to eat, what else may be affected?

“New Zealand First is the only serious party that has spoken out consistently about the urgent need for an alternative to aerial drops of 1080. Once again, our concerns are proving to be well-founded,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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