Mitre 10 Drops Harmful “Bird Glue” Following Public Pressure

Auckland, NZ-- New Zealand’s largest hardware store will be phasing out an “inhumane” bird repellent, following a public campaign.

Mitre 10 has agreed to remove the harmful product, Hot Foot, in response to concerns about Hot Foot’s impact on local bird populations. Mitre 10 CEO Neil Cowie responded swiftly and agreed to phase out the product, effective immediately.

Animal rights activists celebrated the decision.

“Mitre 10’s commitment to phase out this inhumane and dangerous bird glue means that many birds will be spared painful injuries and a tortuous death,” says group spokesperson Ellen Ozarka.

Hot Foot is a polybutene based gel which is meant to give birds an unpleasant sticky sensation on their feet, causing them to roost elsewhere, but in reality can cause burns on contact and even glue smaller birds to buildings.

“Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Limited takes great care in its selection of products on behalf of our member stores, particularly in relation to matters of safety to the environment, our customers and the community,” commented Cowie. “As a proudly New Zealand owned and operated company we are committed to New Zealand conservation, and as part of this... we have decided to phase out [Hot Foot] and will cease placing any new orders.“

Bunnings has also deleted the product from their stock, following similar concerns after an incident several years ago. They have replaced it with a New Zealand made product which has a different active ingredient and is therefore less harmful.

However, Hot Foot can still be found in many other retail stores such as PGG Wrightson which refuses to remove it. Concerned consumers can tell PGG Wrightson their thoughts on the matter by signing a TOKO petition athttps://www.toko.org.nz/p/hotfoot.

ENDS

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