United Future Seeks 1080 Moratorium

United Future conservation and agricultural spokesperson Gordon Copeland today called for a complete moratorium on the aerial application of 1080 poison.

“Having viewed the TV documentary “A Shadow of Doubt” by The Graf Boys, I am left in no doubt that such a moratorium is justified pending the reassessment of 1080 by the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA),” said Mr Copeland.

“I spent the early part of last year urging the government to proceed with a complete ERMA reassessment of 1080 and that is now underway.

"It is an urgent necessity because we need to get the risks around 1080 scientifically verified in view of continuing public unease about its continued use.

“In the meantime there is simply no need to continue with aerial application and I therefore call upon the Government to declare an immediate moratorium pending the completion of the ERMA reassessment.

“The Government spends around $80 million a year on 1080 with the goal of both controlling the risk of TB in farming operations and eradicating feral cats and mustelids to protect New Zealand birdlife.

“Most of it is spread through ground-based operations under tightly controlled conditions.

"Aerial application is however a different matter. It is not only spread over a much larger area but pellets dropped from the sky end up not only in the bush and on land but also in waterways.

"It is therefore indiscriminate and dangerous and I see no good reason why it should be continued.”

ENDS

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