Time to accept value of 1080

Federated Farmers is mystified about why people are still complaining about the use of 1080, long after it's been established as a key tool in New Zealand's environmental protection system.

The Commissioner for the Environment concluded five years ago that 1080 was the only viable tool for protection against pests on much of New Zealand's conservation land.

Federated Farmers Taranaki vice president Donald McIntyre says the Department of Conservation's planned use of 1080 on Mount Taranaki this month must go ahead.

"If we want to keep the kiwi, the rata and all the rest of New Zealand's native flora and fauna, then we have to accept the use of 1080," he says.

"Obviously protecting threatened species is important to us all, but our members also rely on the use of 1080 to control possums, and therefore reduce the incidence of bovine Tb."

Federated Farmers says eradication of bovine tuberculosis is imperative to the ongoing viability of New Zealand agriculture.

The relatively low incidence of the disease in recent years is due to strategic use of pest control, especially 1080.

The incidence of bovine Tb in the national cattle and deer herds poses a substantial risk to New Zealand's international market access for cattle and deer products.

"The use of 1080 on possums and other pests reduces the incidence of Tb and is not cost prohibitive. Also in many parts of the country, it is the only effective option.

"Farmers, regional councils and the government all work very hard to keep this disease at bay. And we must work even harder to achieve the Government's goal of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050.

"Federated Farmers welcomes research into all kinds of pest control, but the fact is, 1080 works well for New Zealand and we need it now," Donald says.

- Federated Farmers