Leave Fish & Game Alone, Says UnitedFuture

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says his party will oppose any moves to downgrade or reduce the advocacy role of the Fish and Game Council.

He wea responding to reports that the Minister of Conservation had made a threat along these lines at a recent meeting of Fish and Game and recreation interests.

“Let me make it clear – from UnitedFuture’s perspective, Fish and Game performs a valuable role as a balanced environmental and conservation advocate, and that role should be enhanced, not reduced.

“Because of its relationship to recreational fishing interests in particular, it is both perfectly understandable and justifiable that Fish and Game should have strong views on matters that adversely affect the recreational fishery, and that it should promote those.

“Issues like the impact of dairy intensification, or major new irrigation schemes on water quality are obvious matters of interest to Fish and Game and the interests they are obliged by law to represent and advocate for.

“To threaten – directly or obliquely – to curtail their role because they perform it well, is unacceptable in any circumstances,” he says.

Mr Dunne says UnitedFuture stands “four square” with Fish & Game and will resist any moves to downgrade it.

“In fact, a party vote for UnitedFuture on September 20, will be a vote for ensuring Fish & Game’s future,” he says.

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