Trespass unacceptable

Federated Farmers is concerned about the irresponsible behaviour of some anti-1080 protestors after a number of individuals were arrested at an Animal Health Board 1080 loading site this morning.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable behaviour and I’m glad the police were called, but this isn’t the first we’ve heard about 1080 protestors causing trouble,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers game and pest management spokesperson.

“One of our West Coast members called up recently to say that anti-1080 campaigners had threatened to poison his stock and had threatened him personally and he’s not the only one.

“It’s a real concern to see this small group of anti 1080 campaigners causing so much trouble.

“There’s only a handful of extremists opposed to 1080 to this extent and this is normally because they are misinformed about the biology of Tb carrying pests, such as possums. Or else they’ve chosen to ignore the available information about the benefits of 1080.

“For example, 30 years ago a standard operation would see 30 kilos of un-dyed carrot bait used per hectare. This has now dropped to between 1.5 kilos and 3 kilos of dyed cereal bait and researchers are currently trying to drop this to 0.25 kilos per hectare.

“This and other helpful information is readily available on the informative website www.1080thefacts.co.nz.

“The West Coast has the highest rate of Tb infection in cattle and deer herds in New Zealand. We need to protect the $700 million agricultural industry on the Coast, in order to do this 1080 is the answer.

“It’s very disappointing to see a small group of misinformed individuals try to illegally hinder a successful and necessary operation,” Mr Aubrey concluded.