Media statement
For immediate release
Thursday 12 October 2006

United Future echoes NZDA concern over brodifacoum

United Future environment and outdoor recreation spokesman Gordon Copeland has joined the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association in demanding answers to why a batch of brodifacoum that caught fire in Murupara yesterday was apparently being prepared for aerial application.

Brodifacoum is a cumulative poison and for that reason is not licensed for use by aerial application on the mainland.

“From what I understand brodifacoum is a highly lethal anticoagulant poison that can be bought over the counter. While effective for specific pest control it is less than ideal in an area where many people and recreational and domestic animals would be exposed to it,” said Mr Copeland.

“The Ureweras and their surrounds is a very popular region for deerstalking and pig-hunting. It is unacceptable that such a toxic substance as brodifacoum is being used in such circumstances.

“What many people who use brodifacoum privately must realise is that as a cumulative poison once it is in an animal population it spreads very quickly and renders the meat of those animals unsafe for consumption. Once brodifacoum has been used in an area the entire local pig or deer population is deemed unfit for human consumption. Hunters are dissuaded from harvesting them and this contributes to increased populations.

“The Marlborough Sounds, where brodifacoum has been used by private landowners to control pests around batches is a prime example of this situation. The pig population in that area is now well above the acceptable limit.

“This incident has highlighted the need to reassess the availability of brodifacoum as an over the counter product. United Future is committed to advance this issue under the nationwide pest reduction strategy currently in negotiation with the Government,” concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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