14 June 2007

Deerstalkers welcome Ministerial Panel on Deer Status

New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association (NZDA) has warmly welcomed Conservation Minister Chris Carter's announcement today of a Ministerial Panel to review the status of deer chamois, tahr and pigs in the wild.

"This Review has come at an opportune time, with the Animal Health Board proposing doubling the area of public land that it indiscriminately drops 1080 on" NZDA President Steve Veail said. "Also regional councils are getting more dictatorial about needlessly killing these animals to waste, and contaminating their meat, with 1080 and other toxins, while making no allowance for their value to the community as food for the table, or as a hunting resource."

"The Department of Conservation too, is ignoring its legislative responsibilities to manage wild deer, pigs, tahr and chamois as a recreational and food resource on public land, very much to the detriment of hunters and local communities. These introduced species have over 100 years of being valued for their wild meat and for recreational hunting. It is certainly time these values are recognised and protected" Mr Veail said. "We trust this talented Panel will be able to achieve this result."

ENDS

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