Environment Canterbury supports predator free goal

Environment Canterbury today welcomed the Government’s goal for New Zealand to become predator free by 2050.
Commissioner Tom Lambie said the regional council is well placed to contribute towards making the aspiration a reality for generations to come.

“If we all work together we can make this happen,” Mr Lambie said. “Environment Canterbury has a proven record of facilitating collaborative community action in a variety of fields including water quality and biosecurity. Underpinning all this work is a strong scientific and technical base we can draw on. ”
Mr Lambie said Environment Canterbury embraced the Government’s national target and additional funding to support pest management efforts in Canterbury.

“We know Canterbury farmers and the community see pest management as a key issue for both production and biodiversity values.

“More funding will bolster current efforts and give us opportunities to enhance our pest management toolbox,” Mr Lambie said. “We look forward to working closely with central government agencies, other regional and territorial authorities and a number of other partners to deliver the goal.”

Tom Lambie said the initiative provided a number of exciting opportunities for pest management in Canterbury. “Imagine, for example, if we could tell our children we now have a pest-free Banks Peninsula?

“We already have the solid collaborative foundation we need on the Peninsula to make this happen. It’s a good example of the community taking responsibility for their own pest control. They care passionately about local biodiversity. They offer their drive and funding, and Environment Canterbury and other organisations contribute our expertise.”

Tom Lambie said Environment Canterbury would make sure it has the right tools to do the job. “Science will play a very important part in this new initiative,” he said. “Research programmes such as the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge will test new tools towards providing the on-the-ground solutions we need.”

ENDS

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