NZ Outdoors And Freedom Party Demands Doc Postpone Aerial 1080 Poisoning Of Blue Mountains, Otago

The leader of the NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party, Sue Grey has written to the Director-General of Conservation Penny Nelson, urging that the proposed 1080 poisoning of the Blue Mountain Conservation Area in Otago be postponed.

“The planning and consultation for this poison operation has been abysmal” says Sue Grey.

The community has been asking for information about health and safety, risk benefit analysis and steps proposed to protect public drinking water in Tapanui and other communities which take water from water catchments that will be poisoned. The Clutha District Council which is responsible for the water and for health and safety says it has not been consulted with. DOC appears to have taken no steps to obtain MOH approval, or consult with schools, local hunter or local marae.

DOC’s attitude towards this dangerous ecotoxic poison and its lack of effort to consult and ensure social licence has been questionable for years, however this operation raises so many unanswered questions. Local residents have asked for information and been actively stonewalled.

“It’s completely unacceptable that DOC have delayed providing important risk assessment, health and safety, animal welfare and other information until AFTER its poisoning operation.” says Sue Grey. “This information should be readily available and provided on request. Its not possible to consult properly with stakeholders without this information. DOC staff seem to have forgotten that they are “public servants” and that they are dealing with a poison that kills indiscriminately. Their refusal to promptly provide basic information to community members on request raises doubt whether they have undertaken the required assessments or any proper consultation at all.”

The EPA approvals for 1080 poison always required sign off from the Medical Officer of Health where public drinking water might be exposed to the potentially deadly poison. This requirement seems to have been overlooked recently.

1080 is a deadly poison that is ecotoxic and kills indiscriminately. There have been numerous cases where people have been accidentally poisoned with 1080, including the worker from Pest Control Research Ltd who was accidentally poisoned in May 2019 resulting in a WorkSafe prosecution and $275,000 fine. Pest Control Research was 49% owned by West Coast Regional Council at the time of the incident. Also, the Bartlet sisters who were both poisoned by 1080 dust while picknicking on the West Coast and have suffered on going health effects.

“We’ve also had numerous incidents where people, dogs, cattle, deer and native birds such as kea have been accidentally poisoned during 1080 operations. This deadly chemical is banned in most countries, due in part to the fear of terrorists adding it to public drinking water. Here in NZ the government intentionally adds it to drinking water catchments.” says Sue Grey.

“With the cost of living crisis, fuel shortage and unemployment you would think that the government has better things to spend money on than using helicopters to poison deer and their habitat.” says Sue Grey. “The Blue Mountains/Tapanui community has been running very successful trapping programmes. Wouldn’t it be great if DOC could work with communities to respect and promote people power rather than poison” There are many local trappers, hunters and others keen to help with conservation efforts who are already doing a great job and just need more support.

The local community has set up the Blue Mountains Tapanui Stop the Poison operation and like the NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party urge the government to postpone the operation at least until proper consultation has been undertaken, it can show community support “social licence” for using the poison and all alternatives have been considered.

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