POLICY ON OPOSSUMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 15

POLICY ON OPOSSUMS

Statement ByMr Gerard

(From Our Oicn Reporter) WELLINGTON. May 4. The Minister of Forests (Mr Gerardi does not agree with the Conservator of Forests in Palmerston North (Mr Wells) that the best -way to combat the opossum is to “let it eat itself out of house and home." “The policy adopted by the Government is to reduce opossum numbers to as low a level as possible.” said Mr Gerard. “That is why rabbit boards have been given the power to deal with the animal within their districts. As to our bush areas. I have directed that the Forest Service conduct extensive camjaigns where the infestation is the greatest. “As the. Forest Service gets to know more about the problem, and reduces the opossum population of the worst-affected areas, the campaign will be extended to the districts of minor infestation." It would be impossible to tackle the whole country simultaneously, as the cost would be prohibitive, but there was no intention of letting opossums extend the areas of serious damage, Mr Gerard said. “I would like to assure the Forest and Bird Protection Society and the National Parks Authority that I am very conscious of the damage the opossum inflicts on our native trees and shrubs, particularly those that provide substance for our bird life," he said.