Press release.
10th September 2008.
New Incorporated Society formed to fight 1080 poison.
A new society, fully incorporated, will bring a stronger and more unified approach to growing public opposition to the
controversial 1080 poison.
Facilitator, Graham Sperry says the new society; “The NZ Wildlands Biodiversity Management Society Inc’ has been born
from an amalgamation of individuals from throughout the length and breadth of NZ, most of whom already have links to
established but unincorporated regional and community anti 1080 groups. It is hoped that the establishment of the
Incorporated Society will bring this diverse knowledge base into a cohesive, focussed and managed structure which will
increase the effectiveness of the anti 1080 sentiment growing throughout NZ to achieve a cessation of use of 1080 and
similar poisons, particularly non target-specific aerially applied animal poisons “.
Mr Sperry said the group was not a narrowly focused organisation but had a wider viewpoint with strong lateral vision.
“ It will promote with the purpose of establishing: wildland, wetland, waterway, alpine, subalpine, high-country,
lowland, coastal and forest environment management policies which enhance biodiversity; and to promote and protect a
safe user friendly outdoors environment for all New Zealanders and our unique way of life, without the use of sodium
monofluoroacetate (1080) or other similar poisons (including aerially broadcast poisons) that are inhumane, pose an
unacceptable risk to human health, or threaten biodiversity. “
Mr Sperry summarised the ancillary activities of the new group as:-
“To research and acquire and disseminate relevant information as an educational public service and to materially support
and assist the public and community groups with similar objectives, which are concerned and opposed to poisons and other
chemicals such as 1080 to properly and effectively work within the relevant regulatory frameworks to make their
opposition effective. The society is essentially a non-profit umbrella group and will seek to identify and promote
suitable, safer alternative methods of controlling animals such as possums, rats and mustelids. The society has been
formed by members of established groups including HEAG, RAG, ESPC, KAKA and others including wild animal products
businesses as well as individuals, most of whom contributed objections to 1080 at the recent ERMANZ hearings”, he said.
The initial contact for the “NZ Wildlands Biodiversity Management Society Inc” is:
C/o ESPC: Box 1700 Taupo; or by email to sperry@lures.co.nz
Ends.