KEY POINTS:
The Department of Conservation is accused of ignoring the concerns of Coromandel Peninsula farmers and residents who opposed an aerial 1080 poison drop over a kiwi conservation zone.
The criticism comes as the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) takes submissions on the use of 1080 poison to control possums and other pests - the first comprehensive regulatory review for 1080 since its initial registration in 1954.
The 1080 was dropped by helicopter over about 1170ha of forest park in the Coromandel Peninsula settlement of Whenuakite two months ago, in an area that has been the focus of years of voluntary and paid kiwi conservation efforts.
DOC started controlling possums with a bait station network in the Whenuakite block in 2000 and followed up with further work in 2003. Both of these operations led to a noticeable reduction in possum numbers and their impact on trees.
In 2001, 31 kiwi were recorded on private land in the Whenuakite kiwi conservation zone, which encompasses private land and the DOC-administered Whenuakite Forest Park. By 2005, that number had more than doubled to 68.
Scientists in possum ecology predict that despite highly promoted work to create genetically engineered (GE) controls for possums - such as by causing an immune reaction to proteins crucial to their own reproduction - 1080 will be required for many years to come.
But opponents of the drop on the Coromandel say the growing kiwi populations in Whenuakite prove otherwise, and feel frustrated that a petition by more than 400 farmers and residents, asking the department to continue ground-based pest control, went ignored.
"The department are like neighbours from hell," said farmer Arthur Attfield whose 134ha block adjoins private land where the 1080 was dropped. "These Government agencies will go to any length to justify their policies. It's no wonder we don't trust them. When the population don't count for anything - that's bad."
Kiwi recovery volunteers cannot check for potential effects following the drop because it is mating season for the bird. A survey is planned next year but no effects may be noticed for two years because the birds do not call when juvenile.
Erma has previously said that, despite existing controls on 1080, there were potential risks to non-target animals and to humans as a consequence of environmental contamination, especially of water supplies. Though the poison is not cumulative, there is no antidote for it.
DOC biodiversity programme manager for the area Pim de Monchy said the department was not open to holding a public meeting about the aerial drop because management viewed the decision as non-negotiable.
Since the drop, the department has reported a reduction in numbers of possums and rats.
"We're optimistic that the very real gains in biodiversity values made by the Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group and others will be enhanced by this latest work," he said.
The poison is one of 10 pesticides - including cyanide and phosphorus - used in this country for killing possums and rabbits. It is also used for rodents, wallabies, deer and other pests, including wasps. New Zealand uses about 80 per cent of the annual worldwide production.
- NZPA
