Oyster farmers shafted by Hodgson

The National MP for Northland is accusing the Fisheries Minister of turning his back on 10 oyster farmers in Waikare Inlet.

"It's simply disgraceful that these small business-folk, who've gone to the Minister asking for help, have today been served with notices of forfeiture," says John Carter.

"So this is Pete Hodgson's answer to the pleas for support that he's received from the farmers - put the boot in!

"These farmers have been stopped from harvesting through no fault of their own, now they're being put out of business.

"They've been served with notices that say they've failed to ensure the shellfish on their leased farms are fit for human consumption.

"They've also been targeted for failing to ensure the structures on their farms are in good order.

"But it's completely unreasonable for the Fisheries Ministry to make such demands when the farmers haven't been harvesting because of the pollution.

"It would seem Pete Hodgson's method of silencing these fishers, who're threatening legal action against the Far North District Council, is to put them out of business.

"I'm calling on the Minister to do the honourable thing and intervene," Mr Carter says.

© Scoop Media