Coromandel anti-1080 march – Real consultation essential

“New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) strongly sympathises with the landowners and pig-hunters in Coromandel and their recent march in protest against an aerial 1080 poison drop by Environment Waikato” spokesman Dr Hugh Barr says.

“Many rural landowners and public land users are horrified at the way regional councils nationwide have turned public consultation over aerial 1080 toxins into a farce” Dr Barr says. “Councils are riding roughshod over landowners, hunters and other stakeholders who are completely cut out of influencing aerial 1080 poisonings.”

“This bullying and intimidation by Councils, the Animal Health Board and the Department of Conservation (DOC) causes us major concern ” Dr Barr said. “It is especially of concern on the Coromandel, as some of the most cutting criticisms of DOC’s lack of credible research, and of the waste and arrogance of the aerial 1080 “industry” came from there during the current ERMA review. It looks like retribution on those making these submissions by Environment Waikato and DOC” Dr Barr said. “This is extremely disturbing”.

“DOC and regional councils are abusing their powers, and use them to ensure public concerns against 1080 poisonings are ignored” Dr Barr said. “It highlights many submitters’ concerns about the lack of accountability by DOC and regional councils with this deadly poison, expressed in presentations to ERMA. ERMA to address these concerns urgently.”

ENDS

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