Save Our Wildlife – Ban 1080 Party Policy

Based on published figures, more than $100 million is spent on possum control every year. Much of this money is consumed through aerially spreading 1080 poison, and managing and promoting the aerial operations. Those involved with spreading the poison continue to exclaim that “there are no alternatives” and “we can’t afford to do nothing!” Statements like these will continue ad infinitum, and as long as this lucrative industry continues to exist.

The New Zealand Government owns Orillion (www.orillion.com) the company that imports 1080 poison and manufactures the various bait types. There is a clear conflict of interest between this SOE and the Government’s plan to increase aerial poisoning all across New Zealand up until the year 2050.

We now know that native species like kiwi and kea, among others, are being driven to extinction in 1080 poisoned forests. In response to this concerning trend, the Ban 1080 Party is developing its Save Our Wildlife program. $150 million will be directed into the program from existing possum control budgets, and topped up with additional funding from Government, Councils, DoC and TBFree. The Ban 1080 Party is also committed to ensuring an immediate moratorium is placed on all future aerial 1080 poisoning operations, while this sustainable, targeted, clean and green alternative program is implemented.

The Save Our Wildlife project will employ 2000 full-time contractors, including locally recruited, to manage and undertake targeted, humane, and sustainable wild animal management. We will increase the 100 million dollars currently squandered on poisoning possums and contaminating our environment, and direct the money into training, increasing back country accommodation, and track networks. Helicopters will be used to ferry teams into more remote areas deemed necessary to receive this targeted, and sustainable wild animal management.

The program will support the possum industry - which currently generates over $100 million in revenue. The program will also support and encourage the development of new products and identify new markets.

Employment will be significantly boosted in rural areas, and money injected into the project will flow back through rural communities, and not into the pockets of those that control the current mass-poisoning operations.

For 100 years hunters have navigated New Zealand’s back country areas on foot, from the mountains to the sea. Our wilderness areas can be managed from the ground and by employing local expertise. The practice of aerially spreading poisons is no longer acceptable, sustainable, or rational. For those suited to the outdoors lifestyle, wild animal management will be a valid career choice once again, and the contractors will be well paid for their efforts.

We must actively manage our environment in a way that ensures our Clean-Green reputation is retained and has integrity, and is not just a far-off dream for future generations to strive for.

Ban 1080 Party List:

1/ Clyde Graf – Co Leader (Coromandel candidate)

2/ Bill Wallace – Co Leader

3/ Peter Salter (West Coast-Tasman candidate)

4/ Brian Adams (Clutha-Southland candidate)

5/ Carol Sawyer

6/ Jim Hilton

7/ Glen Tomlinson

8/ Lloyd Hanson

9/ Mary Molloy

ENDS

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