Labour supports findings of Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

Labour has expressed strong support for the recommendations in the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s new report: “Evaluating the use of 1080: Predators, poisons and silent forests”.

“We now have an evidence base upon which to form our views,” said Labour’s Conservation Spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

The Commissioner states “In this report, 1080 has been systematically assessed for its effectiveness, safety and humaneness. While it is not perfect, it scores surprisingly well, due in large part to the increase in scientific understanding, the establishment of a strong body of evidence, and the addition of many controls over the years.”

There are 6 recommendations in the report, and Labour urges the Ministers for Conservation and Environment to support and implement these recommendations.

• We agree that there should not be a moratorium on the use of 1080. The report gives robust and independent information and advice to Parliament and the public of New Zealand. A moratorium may have been a consideration in the absence of such information and advice.
• We agree that there is scope to simplify the confusing labyrinth of laws which are all relevant to use of 1080. The Resource Management Act and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act could be the appropriate umbrella to clarify the current situation.
• Labour does not support the introduction of the Game Animal Council – but does agree that if such a Council is established, then the Department of Conservation needs to retain the responsibility of pest control. The Department must not be constrained in its ability to carry out pest control and this would certainly occur if the Game Animal Council had such responsibility.
• The Animal Health Board should be subject to the Official Information Act and the Ombudsman Act. Those with concerns about or in opposition to use of 1080 should be entitled to full and honest information in the interests of a quality debate. Therefore, all such information should be available to the public.
• Department of Conservation should develop a national policy for fur harvesting, especially in light of financial pressures put on it by the current Government.
• The final proposal would also remove a lot of uncertainty and anxiety but improving transparency around pest control particularly in regard to the Department of Conservation’s website.

“We cannot afford to give up the battle against introduced pests such as possums and stoats, because to do so would be abandoning our moral responsibility to future generations. We would lose the North Island kiwi within a generation.The 8-fold increase in kokako population because of 1080 poisoning would be reversed.

“The Minister of Conservation has demonstrated she is only too willing to support Gerry Brownlee and his proposals to mine in national parks; this is a chance for her to support the proposals in this report and make a strong statement for conservation,” said Ruth Dyson.

“We must not let our future be one of silent forests. We have the evidence provided in a robust and independent way. Now all that remains is for the Ministers to take action,” said Labour’s Environment Spokesperson Charles Chauvel.