Federated Farmers Initial Feedback to Otago Regional Council on the proposed Pest Management Strategy
Feedback in the strategy
1. Look at how pest management may be better coordinated to achieve more effective and efficient management of some pest species.
2. Assess the accuracy and effectiveness of current maps, particularly for defined control areas, in consultation with impacted landowners.
3. Consider how implementation of a new Pest Management strategy may better reflect the practical implications facing some landowners, through a broader approach to landowner engagement.
4. Ensure that ‘good neighbour’ rules effectively bind the Crown and DoC as well as private landowners.
Feedback on specific questions posed
- The new pest plan should manage urban gorse and broom as well as rural.
- Our preference is ORC focus on management of land pests, however where there is a demonstrable need, the costs are funded fairly and there is potential for effective control we are not averse to ORC managing marine pests as well.
- As a general rule, we consider that pest management should primarily be a landowner or occupier’s responsibility until the point there are demonstrable economies of scale, a demonstrable need for better coordination between landowners, or where there is a clear breakdown in the landowner’s ability to effectively and efficiently ensure pests incursions are not occurring beyond their property boundaries.
- The plan should include those pests with a relatively high risk of harm, and this may require removing some pests which are included in the current plan but have caused little harm (eg African Feather Grass).
- As a general rule, where pests aren’t being managed efficiently or effectively, or where there is a demonstrable practical barrier to pest management, we consider Council could take a stronger hand in implementation. However, the optimal management approach will differ depending on the nature and risk of harm for each pest.
- Possums should be considered for inclusion in the new plan.
- Biodiversity, economic, recreational and cultural values should all be given some weight in the plan. However, farmers are particularly keen to ensure that the economic costs of pests on primary production are considered.
For more, see the full feedback document