Pest Management
Managing and, if possible, eliminating pests that adversely impact on agricultural production and our environment is strongly supported by Federated Farmers. Many farmers already undertake pest management programs at their own expense to combat local pest problems. By working with the Crown, regional councils and others there is a much better chance of achieving pest suppression. We support the call for more research into alternative methods of pest control. There is already a wide range of tools used as part of our integrated pest management practice, both in terms of chemical, biological and other controls. A number of specific pest issues have been highlighted from around New Zealand.
Rabbits
The recent resurgence of rabbits threatens New Zealand's productivity and environment and must be halted as a matter of urgency. The Government must accept its role in protecting the environment, especially rabbit-prone properties in the South Island High Country to ensure the land rehabilitation gains following the introduction of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in 1997 are not lost.
By acting in conjunction with farmers, these gains can be maintained. The opportunity to act jointly will ensure environmental values are protected including water and soil values, as well as the lands' productive capacity. Rabbit control should not be the sole responsibility of the landholder. We are more than happy to play a leading role in rabbit control. However, where control costs become excessive, it is appropriate that the public pays a share of these costs. Federated Farmers is calling for the establishment of a voluntary group in each area to form an autonomous board to manage the rabbit problem.
Canada Gees and other waterfowl
The moving of Canada Geese to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Act means that they are no longer provided with protection status and have formally ceased to be a game species. Federated Farmers campaigned hard for this rescheduling and is now involved in ensuring alternative management objectives are adopted. The geese are a major agricultural pest being voracious eaters of pasture, with their excrement fouling land and waterways. Other water fowl species have been recently mentioned as requiring similar rescheduling to manage numbers more effectively. It is important that we continue to work with similar minded groups to ensure any noxious water fowl do not cause unwanted damage to our farms or environment.
Possums, TB and 1080
Federated Farmers view the eradication of Tb as imperative to the ongoing viability of New Zealand agriculture and supports the objectives of the National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy. The current incidence of bovine Tb in the national cattle and deer herds poses a substantial risk to New Zealand's international market access for cattle and deer products. The use of 1080 on possums and other vector pests reduces the incidence of Tb and is highly cost-effective.
Federated Farmers regards 1080 application as extremely important for enhancing the country's conservation and biodiversity values. To improve the health of forest ecosystems the destructive impact of possums needs to be reduced. To protect threatened species of birds and invertebrates from pests, especially rodents and mustelids, the continuation of 1080 use is necessary. However, we do support research into alternatives to 1080 to ensure that the most effective tool for possums and other invertebrate pests is being used.
Weeds
Various weed species are an impediment to optimum pasture growth and can cause problems such as sickness amongst stock or animal welfare concerns. Significant weeds such as broom, ragwort and wilding pines have both an economic and environmental impact on our land. Federated Farmers supports programmes to reduce spread and manage the problems weeds cause. This requires working with regional councils, the Department of Conservation and the public to make sure the optimum results are achieved. It is important a range of methods are used to kill weeds rather than focusing purely on chemical control.
Crown Participation
The Federation strongly supports Crown funding and partnerships with industry for pest management. As Department of Conservation land is non-rateable, it is important the Crown adheres to its policy of being a good neighbour, as much of this land is the source of considerable pest problems.
Biological Control
Having a range of pest control options is a key component of effective management. Federated Farmers recognises and supports the regulatory frameworks established to scientifically assess and manage any risks to the health and safety of people and the environment from the deliberate introduction of biological control agents. We recognise the potential advantage of the use of biological agents, but at the same time want to ensure that our industry is not placed at unacceptable risk. Our support for release for a control agent for the gum leaf skeletoniser was based on sound risk analysis and long-term oversight as to the benefits to primary producers.
Federated Farmers wants
- The establishment of joint working groups between government, landowners and the public to reduce rabbit numbers and other identified pests
- Action plans to ensure that Canada Geese numbers are reduced
- Action plans to ensure New Zealand continues its drive to be Tb Free
- Continued use of 1080 but research into alternatives to 1080 to ensure the most effective tool for possum and other invertebrate pests is being used
- Government to reduce rating exemptions on land, including Department of Conservation land, to fully fund pest management plans at a regional level
- Full farmer consultation and sound risk analysis on any planned biological control releases.
Spokesperson
Federated Farmers Pest Management spokesperson is national board member Anders Crofoot, you can contact him at acrofoot@fedfarm.org.nz.
