Letter to the Editor, Thursday May 5, 2016

A deadly agenda?

So, no game bird hunters allowed on Rangiputa Block this season. We are told that the reason is the new Health and Safety Act. Too much risk of someone hurting themselves and suing the manager for damages.

This, of course, is totally incorrect, as the H&S Act makes it very clear that if the activity involved is recreational, then the owner/ manager is absolved of any responsibility other than to make us verbally aware of any likely hazards.

I can't help wondering if Landcorp have another agenda, and the H&S Act is not simply a smoke screen.

Landcorp, and Rangiputa Block in particular are about to, or perhaps already have, commenced a poisoning campaign in an attempt to reduce the Canada goose population, and a by-kill of mallard, grey duck, pukeko and swan will surely happen. Wouldn't look good if this by-kill was discovered. Is this the real reason for shutting us out?

Does this mean that any bird harvested within say a 10km radius of the poison zone could in fact be infected with this poison? Can Landcorp give us an assurance that we have nothing to worry about? Can Landcorp tell us whether or not our protected harrier could be affected by secondary poisoning? These birds are an excellent food source all year round.

I think we are entitled to have these questions answered. I am currently waiting on a response from the Ministry of Health regarding this issue.

MATIU
Kaitaia

Landcorp was invited to respond, but staff at Rangiputa declined, saying they were awaiting instructions from head office. - Editor.