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.”... Read the full text of this article.
