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Dunne: 1080 report ‘kick in guts for communities’
Media Statement
Hon Peter
Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture
Embargoed until 5.30am
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Dunne: 1080 report ‘kick in guts
for communities’
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has labelled the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on 1080 a “kick in the guts for many of our provincial communities”.
“1080 has been used in New Zealand since the 1950s yet our native bird populations remain in serious decline with predatory pests still being the major culprits,” said Mr Dunne.
“Most people recognise that after 50-odd years of fighting a losing battle it’s probably time to rethink your strategy, however not according to the proponents of 1080.”
“We currently spend around $100 million a year on 1080 operations, mostly in and around communities who do not want it and have to suffer the consequences of having it.”
“No matter what DoC’s science says spraying such an unpopular and deadly toxin over large tracts of our conservation estate, water catchments and farmland will never be accepted by those that reside in our provincial communities and see the devastation it causes.”
“1080 is an extremely cruel and indiscriminate killer, with a high level of secondary poisoning. While it is possums, rats and stoats that are targeted by the poisoning, many native birds, pets, and recreationally-valued game animals are killed by it also.”
“It is not the time to abandon our conservation estate to possums, rats and stoats, but it is time we changed strategy,” said Mr Dunne.
“DoC currently spends less than $2 million a year on researching and developing alternatives.”
“UnitedFuture is committed to significantly increasing that, as well as establishing initiatives such as 1080-free pest control pilot programmes. DoC and other agencies responsible for pest control will significantly contribute to this out of their existing 1080 budget.”
“Local communities need to be better empowered to contribute to pest control operations. For example, the possum product industry is already worth $120 million annually to New Zealand. With the right incentives in place it could grow to be worth at least twice that amount,” said Mr Dunne.
Ends
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