Media statement
Thursday, 17 March 2011

Dunne concerned with Canada geese decision

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has expressed his concern at Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson’s decision to allow open slather culling of Canada geese.

Canada geese will be removed from Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act and added to Schedule 5. This means that Fish and Game will no longer manage goose numbers and the onus will be on farmers, the aviation industry, DoC and regional councils to manage the population.

“Today’s decision is a further let-down for recreational hunters, particularly game-bird shooters,” said Mr Dunne.

“While I understand the concerns of the farming and aviation sectors I am not convinced that this decision will work in anyone’s best interests, least of all taxpayers that will inevitably end up footing the bill.”

The most effective time to cull Canada geese is during the annual molt when the birds are unable to fly and significant population reductions can be achieved. However, Canada geese gather for the molt around large bodies of freshwater, almost all of which are located on DoC land.

“Does the Minister therefore expect DoC to undertake and manage these molt culls, will regional council’s be forced to pick up the tab, or does she intend to allow landowners to poison geese as we do with other pests in this country?”

“I would be deeply concerned if poisoning was allowed. Not only does poisoning bring up issues of animal cruelty and the further prevalence of toxins in the environment but it would also represent a major threat to native species, particularly paradise ducks, which share similar habitats and grazing patterns to geese.”

“Most concerning though is that poisoning would present a significant danger to the vast majority of game-bird shooters that harvest Canada geese for eating.”

“If poisoning is prohibited, as it should be, then it can only be assumed that many other organisations will need to step up to effectively manage these animals. I would like to know how the Minister expects to achieve this,” said Mr Dunne.

Ends

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