AHB Should Compensate People Adversely Affected by its Activities

The Animal Health Board (AHB) has rejected compensation claims filed in June by West Coast tourism business owners in Karamea and Granity for business interruption and restriction to trade resulting from the AHB aerial 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) operation. The AHB has also refused to pay compensation to pregnant women who were advised to leave the Karamea district for the duration of the 1080 operation to cover their accommodation and travel expenses. 

The AHB claim that they are legally unable to offer compensation to businesses or individuals affected by the 1080 programme with one exception--cattle slaughtered because they are Tb positive or cannot be moved as a result of livestock movement restrictions.

New Zealand is marketed internationally as  “Clean Green/100%Pure” holiday destination and the West Coast is promoted on the same basis. Each tourism operator has spent considerable time, money and effort to promote their respective businesses by advertising their facilities, services and regions as environmentally clean, green, pure, pristine, safe, natural, scenic and beautiful. The tourism operators want to ensure the regions they are promoting remain beautiful, unspoilt and clean for visitors to enjoy. The West Coast is one of the most beautiful regions of New Zealand and it should be maintained accordingly so that future generations of New Zealanders can enjoy what the Coast has to offer.

The tourism business owners feel it is improper and even fraudulent to encourage visitors to Karamea and Granity following the 1080 drop given that every tourist attraction in the region will be poisoned by the AHB aerial 1080 programme and the bush walks, scenic spots and tourist attractions and will be blighted with skull and crossbones “Warning 1080 Poison” signs.

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