Possum fight should use people, says FF

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 455, 29 September 1992, Page 1

Possum fight should use people, says FF

The war against possums and unemployment could be fought at the same time, with a peoplebased eradication programme rather than using 1080 poison. That is the view of Waimarino Federated Farmers president John McCarthy. Mr McCarthy discusses some of the issues surrounding possum control and 1080 poison: The TB issue is on a local and international level, one of the most important issues facing New Zealand agriculture in the nineties. There are at present moves afoot to combat the threat of TB. These moves, especially to those who are farming within the confines of the 'Buffer Zone' are going to have wide-spread ramifications which could well set the tone for pastoral farming in the district for many years to come. It is possible that farms located in an 'endemic area' could become discounted on the property market, as will store stock from those properties. Farm management systems, especially on hill country will be disrupted by the use of 1080 poison to combat the possum. Increased test-

ing of cattle and deer herds will in turn lead to increased demands on those farmers affected. Under the New BioSecurities Bill, MAF, under the umbrella of the Animal Health Board, will have legal authority to enforce and if necessary prosecute offenders who are hindering or obstructing the TB control programme. In short, MAF, under this new act, will have quite considerable power to intrude into areas that some farmers may now regard as subject to their own discretion. Do not make the mistake of thinking that because you are not presently within the buffer zone or subject to movement control that these issues will not be of concern. The buffer zone can be extended at any time and in all probability will be. At present it is only limited by funds. One area of particular concem is the proposed wide-spread use of 1080 in this area. The advocates of this poison have, as one would expect, a myriad of reports, facts and figures highlighting its suitability, high kill rate, safeness etc. On the basis of this information you should