What next for Canada Goose?

It's been well reported that Canada Geese will no longer be protected as a game bird. Having lobbied hard for a number of years, it's a decision Federated Farmers unsurprisingly welcomes with open arms.
Yet it's one thing to win a decision, but another to ensure that this environmental and agricultural pest is controlled if not eliminated.
Locations around New Zealand have seen populations explode. Despite rearguard protestations, Fish and Game's management regime was simply not up to the task of controlling the birds' numbers. The 1995 Canada Goose Management Plan set a population limit of 20,350 in the South Island. By 2008 that figure was over 35,000.
"This has been a long term campaign for Federated Farmers. Canada Geese aren't native, they spoil the environment and are even an air traffic hazard," says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers game and pest animal management spokesperson.
Now the task of controlling the bird's numbers has fallen to a number of other organisations, including Federated Farmers.
The Federation has been working with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Department of Conservation as well as like-minded industry groups to establish a central process to manage Canada Geese.
The key is to act in a cost effective and collective way to manage and in the long-term reduce the bird's overall numbers.
One option that can be categorically ruled out is poison. This irresponsible suggestion, made by Fish and Game and United Future leader Peter Dunne, riles Donald Aubrey.
"That claim is false and makes little sense. For example, where do they think farmers draw their water from? They aren't interested in poisoning their own stock, or even themselves for that matter."
The date for the changeover in status has not been finalised, but is expected around mid-June.
The plan is to first establish an 'overarching group' to look at the data such as population concentrations, consider expert advice and make recommendations to regions where the problem is most prevalent.
Federated Farmers will assume the chair of this group. Under effective management, the problem should be contained without inclusion in any regional pest management strategy or similar council led mechanisms.
This group could also coordinate regional responses in areas such as Lake Wairarapa and Lake Ellesmere where the problem is literally out of control.
"It's unrealistic to expect that we can ever truly wipe out this noxious introduced species, but, like rabbits in Central Otago, we can work to reduce and control the animal's numbers.
Another key goal for the Federated Farmers led initiative is to monitor the Geese's geographic spread.
We don't want these birds setting up in new areas, when existing locations are tough enough to control," Mr Aubrey concludes.