13 August 2007

1080 Decision Positive for Environment and Agriculture

Federated Farmers welcomes today's decision by Environment Risk Management Authority (ERMA) for continued use of 1080 in pest control, said the environment spokesperson for Federated Farmers, Bruce McNab.

"The continued use of 1080 is crucial for the future of both agriculture and the environment.

"1080 is the best solution available at present to protect New Zealand forest from introduced pests such as possums, rats, stoats and ferrets.

"1080 - spread as accurately as possible, using the latest technology - has been just as important in protecting the agricultural sector from the threat of bovine tuberculosis.

"Farmers strongly support 1080, the backbone of the Tb eradication scheme. Aerial 1080 application is the only way to cost-effectively and efficiently control possums in steep terrain.

"Tuberculosis in cattle and deer herds has fallen by more than 90 percent in the last decade, largely thanks to possum control, and New Zealand is on track to achieve 'official freedom' from Tb by 2013 or earlier.

"Also for those farmers in arid regions of the South Island who have a never ending battle with rabbits, 1080 is the most effective control tool available.

"For all these reasons Federated Farmers of New Zealand is pleased ERMA has ratified the continued use of 1080," said Mr McNab.

ENDS