Crown acknowledges pest responsibility good for landowners

Monday 21 June 2010

Landowners are the winners following the Government’s announcement of its commitment to Regional Pest Management Strategies (RPMS), says Local Government New Zealand.

Earlier today the Minister of Biosecurity and Forestry, David Carter said the Crown will now bind to RPMS and, to ensure its commitment, will get the legislative process rolling.

LGNZ spokesperson Stephen Cairns says this is wonderful news for landowners who until now have had to, largely, bear the costs of managing pests by themselves.

“Pests don’t recognise boundaries. Landowners have had to carry the financial burden of ensuring they comply with their RPMS, but if their land borders Crown land, they were being financially disadvantaged by essentially having to pay for any Crown inactivity on pest management.

“It just hasn’t been equitable and LGNZ is very pleased the Crown now acknowledges this.”

Mr Cairns cites as examples landowners who own land which borders land owned by the Department of Conservation or Land Information New Zealand.

“Broom, for instance, is a real pest for many landowners. If the Crown isn’t cleaning up its broom on land bordering a landowner that person is likely to be paying for this inaction.”

Mr Cairns says the issue of Crown responsibility has been debated for a very long time, so this development is a major advance in continued efforts to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity.

“For the last 18 years New Zealand has experienced a dual approach to pest management where landowners and regional councils have come to the party, but the Crown hasn’t. The system had to change and we are delighted with the Crown's commitment.”

ENDS

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