West Coast 1080 arrests born from frustration - Dunne

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne believes that the five arrests for trespassing near Ross today are a direct result of years of frustration for Coasters over the interminable number of aerial 1080 operations.

“The fact is people on the West Coast are sick of the belligerent attitude of the Animal Health Board, which presses on with huge aerial poisoning operations regardless of public opinion,” said Mr Dunne.

“People just feel powerless. No matter what the rhetoric is there is very little the public can do to influence these operations, so people are forced into more and more extreme measures.”

“The West Coast has seen the number of TB infected herds drop from over 330 to 35 since the mid-1990s, yet there seems to be no let-up in the number or size of aerial 1080 operations planned.”

“At these low levels it is extremely debatable how effective aerial 1080 possum control is at preventing the further spread of TB, when in many cases TB is often spread through stock movements anyway.”

“Three years ago ERMA undertook to review the usage of 1080. Unsurprisingly this was turned into a complete and utter whitewash. Even the few worthwhile recommendations made to protect and satisfy the public have in all practicality been completely ignored.”

“For instance, I cannot fathom why 1080 is aerially applied to bush blocks at the back of farms or other similar areas easily accessible for ground baiting operations, the preferable application method as stipulated by ERMA.”

“While UnitedFuture is generally supportive of the protests, we do not condone illegal trespassing or aggressive acts against people or property no matter what side of the debate they are on,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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