1080 consultation a sham, says Baldock

The fact that Ngati Naho, Federated Farmers, and professional and recreational hunters are protesting Saturday's proposed 1080 poison aerial blitz of the Waikato's Whangamarino Wetlands just two days out, makes a mockery of the consultation processes of the Animal Welfare Board and Environment Waikato, United Future MP Larry Baldock said today.

"The most effective pest control strategies will be when all agencies work together in co-operation with the communities that are involved," the Tauranga-based MP said.

"I'll be calling for a meeting next week with representatives of Animal Welfare Board, Environment Waikato and members of the community groups that are concerned to try and find a solution.

"The Minister of Conservation and Local Government, Chris Carter, has assured me that it is his intention to seek a balanced, co-operative approach to the management of possums, not only in DOC estates, but throughout the country, Mr Baldock said.

Mr Baldock said it was also sad to see a potential resource being wasted.

"We have a huge export industry developing for possum fur and meat, and it just doesn't makes sense that we continue to blanket large sections of the countryside with 1080 when there could be alternatives that meet the needs of this growing industry and also keep these pests under control," he said.

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