Silver Fern Farms refutes chamois recovery claims

‘Silver Fern Farms refutes Game and Forest’s claims about Chamois recovery’

“The press release issued today by Tom Williams on behalf of the Game and Forest Foundation of New Zealand demonstrates the lack of leadership, foresight and accuracy of such supposed industry leaders and is nothing short of scurrilous” said Silver Fern Farms’ Chief Executive, Keith Cooper.

“Silver Fern Farms has invested more than any other company in the game and venison sectors and we are extremely disappointed to see such an ill-informed and misguided statement issued”.

Silver Fern Farms strongly refutes Mr Williams’ statements:

•Silver Fern Farms is processing chamois because it is in demand from our customers, and is complementary to the feral and farmed venison that we supply into the European game markets.

•We have proven through our responsible management of feral deer recovery that this is best managed by companies that have investments in both farmed and hunted production in order to ensure that the interests of both are managed and protected.

•Our Hokitika plant is licensed to process Chamois and we are permitted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to hunt Chamois. All of our discussions with DOC to date indicate that they are supportive of constructive and ongoing feral processing, and of Silver Fern Farms’ efforts to recover Chamois for the benefit of the area and the animals themselves, particularly given the herds are becoming oversized which can lead to disease.

•This is a valid commercial activity that adds value to our customers, our business and our shareholders.

•We have not issued a contract for 1,000 chamois – the number of Chamois that we have recovered is significantly less than this.

•We have had limited contact with Mr William’s organisation, but see no clear benefit in future engagement. Essentially, his organisation is not opposed to the commercial harvest of game animals for meat, but appears to want to limit who is able to participate in this activity on the basis of illinformed views on where the commercial returns are to be found.

“Mr Williams and the Game and Forest Foundation need to carefully consider their actions and the implications to the venison and game meat industry as a whole” said Mr Cooper.

ENDS

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