A group of concerned Maori led by Dave Livingston and Australian lawyer and Maori law expert Michael Sharp, have come one step closer to ending aerial 1080 poisoning in the Lake Taupo Forest.
Dave Livingston stated that demonstrating that there was an alternative to aerial poisoning, was the catalyst. After the trial in which trapping was used, Livingston stated "we proved ground control will work. A 2000 hectare trial found only one live possum after monitoring was completed. The AHB was happy and have now given another block above Tokaanu, as a second trial, thanks to Brent Webster".
At the local AGM meeting, land owners unanimously voted against using 1080 poison in future. Great work, team!
Showing posts with label Taupo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taupo. Show all posts
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
International 1080 poison review the first step
On Friday I attended meetings arranged by United Future, in Turangi and Taupo.
There were 5 of us on the panel, addressing the crowds - Hon Peter Dunne, Doug Stevens, Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper, Alan Simmons, and Myself.
At the Taupo meeting Peter Dunne stated that an international review into the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand would be a likely first step in the process of having the practice banned in New Zealand - when United Future is reelected in November.
This would give the public of New Zealand, for the first time, a fair and balanced, scientific investigation.
You've got my vote, United Future!
The news item, can be viewed here....International 1080 Poison Review Likely
There were 5 of us on the panel, addressing the crowds - Hon Peter Dunne, Doug Stevens, Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper, Alan Simmons, and Myself.
At the Taupo meeting Peter Dunne stated that an international review into the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand would be a likely first step in the process of having the practice banned in New Zealand - when United Future is reelected in November.
This would give the public of New Zealand, for the first time, a fair and balanced, scientific investigation.
You've got my vote, United Future!
The news item, can be viewed here....International 1080 Poison Review Likely
Monday, June 28, 2010
Taupo mayor declares war - and a visit to the drop zone
Taupo mayor Rick Cooper has declared war on the 1080 industry.
Click here THE MAYOR WHO DECLARED WAR to read the Sunday Star Times full, 2 page story in yesterday's paper.
10 days ago, 60,000 hectares of forestry, bordering lake Taupo, were aerially applied with compound 1080 poison.
Steve, myself and Taupo mayor Rick Cooper, yesterday visited one of the forests.
The question the Mayor was asking was - Why was the use of aircraft required to indiscriminately spread the deadly toxin across the forests? - Their water runoff flows into Lake Taupo! The terrain is flat, to rolling, and is comprehensively dissected with
roads and tracks. Mr Cooper believes the forestry should have been managed by using professional ground based trappers, hunters, and the use of bait stations.
It was only about 3 years ago that the forestry was aerially poisoned.
5 dead rabbits were found. They had been scavenged, probably by hawks or falcon, given that the drop is meant to have killed any rats. No dead rats were found.
Apart from the 1 dead possum, we also found 5 rabbits - a favourite food source for hawks and falcons - which had been scavenged. 1080 causes secondary poisoning in feeders up the food chain. To allow our native bird life to be lethally, and sub-lethally poisoned, without a second thought for their welfare, is not only 
Click here THE MAYOR WHO DECLARED WAR to read the Sunday Star Times full, 2 page story in yesterday's paper.
10 days ago, 60,000 hectares of forestry, bordering lake Taupo, were aerially applied with compound 1080 poison.
Steve, myself and Taupo mayor Rick Cooper, yesterday visited one of the forests.The question the Mayor was asking was - Why was the use of aircraft required to indiscriminately spread the deadly toxin across the forests? - Their water runoff flows into Lake Taupo! The terrain is flat, to rolling, and is comprehensively dissected with
roads and tracks. Mr Cooper believes the forestry should have been managed by using professional ground based trappers, hunters, and the use of bait stations.It was only about 3 years ago that the forestry was aerially poisoned.
During the 6 hours we spent in the block, we found only 1 dead possum.
It is common for us to find more non-target species than target (possums and rats), in areas poisoned with 1080.
Time was spent both driving the roads, and searching in the pine blocks.
Two months ago, when visiting the block, several deer were seen, and the sign of deer throughout the area, was common.
However, after comprehensively searching and driving the block yesterday, not a single fresh sign of deer was seen, not even foot prints.
This suggests the Sika deer living in the area have been poisoned.
5 dead rabbits were found. They had been scavenged, probably by hawks or falcon, given that the drop is meant to have killed any rats. No dead rats were found.Although the drop took place 10 days earlier, the baits were in good order, and were still laying, clearly visible and intact, in the forest, and on the roads and tracks. 
Apart from the 1 dead possum, we also found 5 rabbits - a favourite food source for hawks and falcons - which had been scavenged. 1080 causes secondary poisoning in feeders up the food chain. To allow our native bird life to be lethally, and sub-lethally poisoned, without a second thought for their welfare, is not only 
grossly ignorant, but also a breach of the Animal Welfare, and Wildlife acts!
However, ignorance is a key defence for the users and supporters of 1080.
Aside from the target species, we also found 7 dead birds.
6 were finches. These are the most common birds in the forestry block. 
Altho
ugh finches are introduced passerines, they have similar feeding habits to some of our native and endemic passerines, and these deaths only reinforce scientific studies that have shown large numbers of native birds are poisoned in aerial operations.
Altho
ugh finches are introduced passerines, they have similar feeding habits to some of our native and endemic passerines, and these deaths only reinforce scientific studies that have shown large numbers of native birds are poisoned in aerial operations. 1 endemic Kereru (Wood Pigeon) was also found, and It had been partly scavenged. It is common for birds, but not possums (apart from areas where kea, weka or pukeko are present), to be scavenged after they have been killed by 1080. Sometimes only a pile of feathers is all that authenticates their pre-poison existence.
In the past, Kiwi have been found dead after poisoning operations, but their deaths are often dismissed by DoC as caused by predation (rather than the possibility that they have been predated on while dying, or scavenged when killed by poisoning), so are, conveniently, not tested.
The users of 1080 - DoC, AHB, and regional councils - continue to deliberately mislead the public over their use of this poison. These bureaucracies habitually inform the public that aerial drops only take place in difficult terrain, and across inaccessible areas.
We have travelled the country, visiting many drop zones, and in most cases, the drop areas can be managed with responsible, targeted, ground control - with ease.
We congratulate Taupo mayor Rick Cooper for his stance on the irresponsible use of aerially applied 1080 poison in the Taupo district, and raising the issue of what drives this industry.
By advocating the abolition of this anti-Kiwi method of animal control - he is a true patriot!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Taupo gets WHO accreditation - and another aerial 1080 drop!
Taupo District Council Press Release - 29 April 2010
Taupo gains ‘International Safe District’ accreditation with flying colours – WHO (World Health Organisation).
Six accredited examiners from the World Health Organisation (WHO) visited Taupo last Wednesday (21 April) to judge the district’s application to become an ‘International Safe District’, saying that the districts application was one of the best they had seen.
------------
Just as Taupo gets WHO accreditation for being a safe district, it's due to get another large scale 1080 drop directly into its water catchment, on its eastern side. This is due to begin anytime after the 21st MAY 2010, as was just printed in the Taupo Times. The extraordinary thing about this drop, like most aerial drops, is that it is to take place across an extensive area of pine forest. I was in one of the forests only a week ago, and there was no sign of possums in the part we were in. These forests have roads and tracks all through them, and are easy terrain to navigate on foot. So why aerial 1080???....because it's big money, and it's easy!
The last drop, on the southern side of the lake, was less than 12 months ago!!!
It's extraordinary that the World Health Organisation can award Taupo with such a "safe" status, while being oblivious to the environmental, civil, and WHO warning breaches that take place on a regular basis in the Taupo district, with regard to 1080 poison.
The same World Health Organisation that gave Taupo its big tick, includes the following about 1080 - (Mono Fluoroacetate) in its extensive warning page....
WHO (World Health Organisation) warnings for the use of compound 1080...
4.1.3 Sodium fluoroacetate should not be used in dwelling houses.
Baits should not be used where there is a risk of contaminating food,
animal feeding stuffs or drinking or washing water. Exposed baits
should be laid in containers clearly marked "Poison". Baits should not
be laid unless all access by children and animals other than rats and
mice can be prevented. Except in locked unoccupied premises baits
should not remain down for more than 24 hours. All exposed baits and
their containers should be removed after treatment and burned. Rodent
bodies should be searched for and destroyed by burning.
Note - In New Zealand, baits are dropped directly into waterways 3 metres, and less in diameter; at the same rate that's applied to land. (These small streams make up the bigger rivers) All baits are left to decompose where they fall - be that in the forest canopy, on the forest floor, or in the streams. All animals killed by 1080 are left to decompose where they die - be that on land, or in water.
4.2 ENTRY OF PERSONS INTO TREATED AREAS
The general public should be excluded from all access to premises
while baits are exposed.
Note - In New Zealand, all aerial drop zones remain open to the public while the aerial poison operations are conducted. There are NO warnings NOT to drink the water from the streams in these drop zones! In some smaller streams, that often have walking tracks cris-crossing them, contain high numbers of baits in the water.
5.1.2 Symptoms and signs: there is a variable latent period ranging
from 30 minutes to two hours between ingestion and appearance of
symptoms. The first indication of poisoning is nausea and mental
apprehension with facial twitching and numbness, generally followed by
epileptiform convulsions. After a period of several hours pulsus
alternans may exist followed by ventricular fibrillation and death.
Children appear to be more subject to cardiac arrest than to
ventricular fibrillation
Note - In New Zealand, 100's of thousands of animals and birds (and insects) are lethally, and sub-lethally poisoned every year - ranging from possums to dogs to deer to sheep to cattle, from robins to Kiwi to owls to parrots to hawks.
Ends.
Taupo gains ‘International Safe District’ accreditation with flying colours – WHO (World Health Organisation).
Six accredited examiners from the World Health Organisation (WHO) visited Taupo last Wednesday (21 April) to judge the district’s application to become an ‘International Safe District’, saying that the districts application was one of the best they had seen.
------------
Just as Taupo gets WHO accreditation for being a safe district, it's due to get another large scale 1080 drop directly into its water catchment, on its eastern side. This is due to begin anytime after the 21st MAY 2010, as was just printed in the Taupo Times. The extraordinary thing about this drop, like most aerial drops, is that it is to take place across an extensive area of pine forest. I was in one of the forests only a week ago, and there was no sign of possums in the part we were in. These forests have roads and tracks all through them, and are easy terrain to navigate on foot. So why aerial 1080???....because it's big money, and it's easy!
The last drop, on the southern side of the lake, was less than 12 months ago!!!
It's extraordinary that the World Health Organisation can award Taupo with such a "safe" status, while being oblivious to the environmental, civil, and WHO warning breaches that take place on a regular basis in the Taupo district, with regard to 1080 poison.
The same World Health Organisation that gave Taupo its big tick, includes the following about 1080 - (Mono Fluoroacetate) in its extensive warning page....
WHO (World Health Organisation) warnings for the use of compound 1080...
4.1.3 Sodium fluoroacetate should not be used in dwelling houses.
Baits should not be used where there is a risk of contaminating food,
animal feeding stuffs or drinking or washing water. Exposed baits
should be laid in containers clearly marked "Poison". Baits should not
be laid unless all access by children and animals other than rats and
mice can be prevented. Except in locked unoccupied premises baits
should not remain down for more than 24 hours. All exposed baits and
their containers should be removed after treatment and burned. Rodent
bodies should be searched for and destroyed by burning.
Note - In New Zealand, baits are dropped directly into waterways 3 metres, and less in diameter; at the same rate that's applied to land. (These small streams make up the bigger rivers) All baits are left to decompose where they fall - be that in the forest canopy, on the forest floor, or in the streams. All animals killed by 1080 are left to decompose where they die - be that on land, or in water.
4.2 ENTRY OF PERSONS INTO TREATED AREAS
The general public should be excluded from all access to premises
while baits are exposed.
Note - In New Zealand, all aerial drop zones remain open to the public while the aerial poison operations are conducted. There are NO warnings NOT to drink the water from the streams in these drop zones! In some smaller streams, that often have walking tracks cris-crossing them, contain high numbers of baits in the water.
5.1.2 Symptoms and signs: there is a variable latent period ranging
from 30 minutes to two hours between ingestion and appearance of
symptoms. The first indication of poisoning is nausea and mental
apprehension with facial twitching and numbness, generally followed by
epileptiform convulsions. After a period of several hours pulsus
alternans may exist followed by ventricular fibrillation and death.
Children appear to be more subject to cardiac arrest than to
ventricular fibrillation
Note - In New Zealand, 100's of thousands of animals and birds (and insects) are lethally, and sub-lethally poisoned every year - ranging from possums to dogs to deer to sheep to cattle, from robins to Kiwi to owls to parrots to hawks.
Ends.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
TAUPO DISTRICT COUNCIL - MEDIA RELEASE - 13 OCTOBER 2009
Following Taupo District Council’s resolution to advocate against the aerial application of 1080, an advocacy group has been formed to carry out Council’s decision.
Media Release
13 October 2009
Taupo District Council 1080 advocacy group gearing up
Following Taupo District Council’s resolution to advocate against the aerial application of 1080, an advocacy group has been formed to carry out Council’s decision.
The Taupo District Council 1080 advocacy committee is aware of and concerned by the aerial dropping of 1080 poison, and is developing an action plan to achieve the resolution set out by Council in September.
The advocacy group will be investigating responsible solutions to pest management; however the groups main aim is to declare war on the indiscriminate aerial dropping of 1080. “We are in the initial stages of writing letters to regional and district councils and other concerned parties, both for and against 1080, with a series of questions around its potential threat to the environment,” said the groups chairman Cr Don Ormsby.
The group, whose members are Taupo District Mayor Rick Cooper, Councillor and Turangi-Tongariro Community Board Chairman Don Ormsby, the Graf Boys Clyde and Steve Graf producers of the documentary ‘Poisoning Paradise’, and Graham Sperry of the NZ Wildlands Bio Diversity Management Society Inc. met today for the first time in the Mayors office at Taupo District Council.
Councillor Don Ormsby said he is excited to be working with such a passionate group of people. “We don’t expect everyone will like what we are doing, but we feel strongly that we are taking the right steps toward a clean green future for our children and their children.”
END
For further information contact:
Councillor Don Ormsby
dormsby@taupo.govt.nz
Taupo District Council
Media Release
13 October 2009
Taupo District Council 1080 advocacy group gearing up
Following Taupo District Council’s resolution to advocate against the aerial application of 1080, an advocacy group has been formed to carry out Council’s decision.
The Taupo District Council 1080 advocacy committee is aware of and concerned by the aerial dropping of 1080 poison, and is developing an action plan to achieve the resolution set out by Council in September.
The advocacy group will be investigating responsible solutions to pest management; however the groups main aim is to declare war on the indiscriminate aerial dropping of 1080. “We are in the initial stages of writing letters to regional and district councils and other concerned parties, both for and against 1080, with a series of questions around its potential threat to the environment,” said the groups chairman Cr Don Ormsby.
The group, whose members are Taupo District Mayor Rick Cooper, Councillor and Turangi-Tongariro Community Board Chairman Don Ormsby, the Graf Boys Clyde and Steve Graf producers of the documentary ‘Poisoning Paradise’, and Graham Sperry of the NZ Wildlands Bio Diversity Management Society Inc. met today for the first time in the Mayors office at Taupo District Council.
Councillor Don Ormsby said he is excited to be working with such a passionate group of people. “We don’t expect everyone will like what we are doing, but we feel strongly that we are taking the right steps toward a clean green future for our children and their children.”
END
For further information contact:
Councillor Don Ormsby
dormsby@taupo.govt.nz
Taupo District Council
Friday, October 2, 2009
UNITED FUTURE - PRESS RELEASE
Media Statement – For immediate release
Friday 2 October 2008
Dunne applauds Taupo District Council
UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has applauded Taupo District Council’s decision to abolish all aerial 1080 operations within its area of jurisdiction.
A motion was passed:
1. To develop a sustainable alternative possum eradication and trapping program.
2. Abolish all aerial dropping of 1080 poison forthwith.
“Taupo District Council has made a far-sighted and courageous decision,” said Mr Dunne.
“It is particularly pleasing to see a local authority respond to the concerns of its community and take a stand against the cruel and indiscriminate practice of aerially applying 1080 poison.”
“I congratulate not only the councillors for reaching this decision but also the opponents of aerial 1080, particularly Clyde and Steve Graf, and the NZ Wildlands Biodiversity Management Society, who were instrumental in getting this result.”
Taupo joins Westland District Council in opposing aerial 1080 use.
“Taupo and Westland are great success stories, yet the fight against aerial 1080 goes on around the rest of New Zealand.”
“I hope the result in Taupo will prompt other communities to consider their stance on aerial poisoning programs.”
“For too long DoC, the Animal Health Board and regional councils have leaned on aerial 1080 as their primary means of pest control. Finally the tide is turning and those organisations will be forced to consider alternative methods of pest control, a scenario that is long-overdue,” said Mr Dunne.
Ends
Hayden Cox
Ministerial Advisor to Hon Peter Dunne
Minister of Revenue Associate Minister of Health MP for Ohariu UnitedFuture Leader
Friday 2 October 2008
Dunne applauds Taupo District Council
UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has applauded Taupo District Council’s decision to abolish all aerial 1080 operations within its area of jurisdiction.
A motion was passed:
1. To develop a sustainable alternative possum eradication and trapping program.
2. Abolish all aerial dropping of 1080 poison forthwith.
“Taupo District Council has made a far-sighted and courageous decision,” said Mr Dunne.
“It is particularly pleasing to see a local authority respond to the concerns of its community and take a stand against the cruel and indiscriminate practice of aerially applying 1080 poison.”
“I congratulate not only the councillors for reaching this decision but also the opponents of aerial 1080, particularly Clyde and Steve Graf, and the NZ Wildlands Biodiversity Management Society, who were instrumental in getting this result.”
Taupo joins Westland District Council in opposing aerial 1080 use.
“Taupo and Westland are great success stories, yet the fight against aerial 1080 goes on around the rest of New Zealand.”
“I hope the result in Taupo will prompt other communities to consider their stance on aerial poisoning programs.”
“For too long DoC, the Animal Health Board and regional councils have leaned on aerial 1080 as their primary means of pest control. Finally the tide is turning and those organisations will be forced to consider alternative methods of pest control, a scenario that is long-overdue,” said Mr Dunne.
Ends
Hayden Cox
Ministerial Advisor to Hon Peter Dunne
Minister of Revenue Associate Minister of Health MP for Ohariu UnitedFuture Leader
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
TAUPO DECISION - A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY
The Taupo District Council today held a “resumed special purpose ordinary meeting”
Subject: use of 1080 in the Taupo District.
A motion was passed: “That in accordance with section 10B of the Local Government Act of 2002, Taupo District Council advocate with Central Government and appropriate Agencies;
VIZ: A. To develop a sustainable alternative possum eradication and trapping program.
B. Abolition of all aerial dropping of 1080 poison forthwith.
The motion was carried 6-4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The motion was developed over lengthy discussion and debate by councillors during the meeting with particular attention directed at getting the legalities of the motion identified before it was finally put to a democratic vote.
Councillors who voted against the motion were: Councillors: Welch, Gathergood, McElwee and Uvhagen.
The NZ District Councils stand against aerial 1080 has just doubled, to two. Westland and Taupo. Let us hope that other Councils will follow the example set by these two.
The public gallery included myself and Kirstine Bettridge from NZ WBM, Steve and Clyde Graf and supporters; Chris Short and supporters, Lance Aldridge, Dave Livingstone and supporters from Turangi plus members of the public.
The opposing councillors made some swiping ploys, one of which succeeded in principle, to restricting any significant financial expenditure by the TDC in support of its appointed advocate Councillor Don Ormsby. This ploy was initiated by councillor McElwee and we must hope that when the next council budget is done, that it includes a substantial allocation of funds specifically for the advocacy role. Councillor Uvhagen stated she could not support the motion as there were no viable alternatives to 1080. I can only conclude that she did not study our submissions very thoroughly.
Anyway, it is a significant win for us, and a brave stand by Mayor Rick Cooper and his supporting Councillors.
Thank you to all who contributed to our submissions, both directly and indirectly; in particular NZ WBM members Mary and Lindsay, Clare, Murray, Steve, Margie, Robert and myself, plus the Graf brothers and their DVD, Pat and Quinn, Lance, Dave, Alec and NZDA, and many other people who had previously contributed to assembling the ESPC submission to ERMA and parts of the submissions presented by NZ WBM. (Too many of you to list.)
One of the concerns expressed by councillors early on in the meeting was the potential of the 1080 issue to divide the community. This lever will likely not be overlooked by the pro 1080 factions, so please be aware of its potential to damage and alert to ploys from the pro 1080 factions and agencies.
This result is because of teamwork and our society’s ability to pull a team together in an effective way and the willingness of allies to contribute. Thank you all for your cooperation and input.
Sincerely, Graham Sperry.
Chairman. NZ WBM.
Subject: use of 1080 in the Taupo District.
A motion was passed: “That in accordance with section 10B of the Local Government Act of 2002, Taupo District Council advocate with Central Government and appropriate Agencies;
VIZ: A. To develop a sustainable alternative possum eradication and trapping program.
B. Abolition of all aerial dropping of 1080 poison forthwith.
The motion was carried 6-4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The motion was developed over lengthy discussion and debate by councillors during the meeting with particular attention directed at getting the legalities of the motion identified before it was finally put to a democratic vote.
Councillors who voted against the motion were: Councillors: Welch, Gathergood, McElwee and Uvhagen.
The NZ District Councils stand against aerial 1080 has just doubled, to two. Westland and Taupo. Let us hope that other Councils will follow the example set by these two.
The public gallery included myself and Kirstine Bettridge from NZ WBM, Steve and Clyde Graf and supporters; Chris Short and supporters, Lance Aldridge, Dave Livingstone and supporters from Turangi plus members of the public.
The opposing councillors made some swiping ploys, one of which succeeded in principle, to restricting any significant financial expenditure by the TDC in support of its appointed advocate Councillor Don Ormsby. This ploy was initiated by councillor McElwee and we must hope that when the next council budget is done, that it includes a substantial allocation of funds specifically for the advocacy role. Councillor Uvhagen stated she could not support the motion as there were no viable alternatives to 1080. I can only conclude that she did not study our submissions very thoroughly.
Anyway, it is a significant win for us, and a brave stand by Mayor Rick Cooper and his supporting Councillors.
Thank you to all who contributed to our submissions, both directly and indirectly; in particular NZ WBM members Mary and Lindsay, Clare, Murray, Steve, Margie, Robert and myself, plus the Graf brothers and their DVD, Pat and Quinn, Lance, Dave, Alec and NZDA, and many other people who had previously contributed to assembling the ESPC submission to ERMA and parts of the submissions presented by NZ WBM. (Too many of you to list.)
One of the concerns expressed by councillors early on in the meeting was the potential of the 1080 issue to divide the community. This lever will likely not be overlooked by the pro 1080 factions, so please be aware of its potential to damage and alert to ploys from the pro 1080 factions and agencies.
This result is because of teamwork and our society’s ability to pull a team together in an effective way and the willingness of allies to contribute. Thank you all for your cooperation and input.
Sincerely, Graham Sperry.
Chairman. NZ WBM.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Taupo District Council meeting on 1080
The Taupo District Council meeting on 1080 is to be held on Wednesday 22 July between 11:00am and 1:00pm at the Great Lake Centre.
It is a Council meeting, not a public meeting, but as with all Council meetings the public are able to attend. No recommendations or resolutions will be made at this meeting. It is intended simply to receive information so that at a later date Council can make an informed and balanced decision on the recommendations from the Turangi Community Board with respect to the application of 1080.
Only Councillors will be able to ask questions. No comments or questions will be taken from the floor.
11:00-12:00 Animal Health Board and Department of Conservation representatives make their pro-1080 presentations and answer questions from Councillors.
12:00-1:00 A team representing farmers, the hunting community, scientists, medical practitioners and the concerns of the general public, will make their anti-1080 presentations and answer questions from Councillors.
All interested parties are welcome to attend.
It is a Council meeting, not a public meeting, but as with all Council meetings the public are able to attend. No recommendations or resolutions will be made at this meeting. It is intended simply to receive information so that at a later date Council can make an informed and balanced decision on the recommendations from the Turangi Community Board with respect to the application of 1080.
Only Councillors will be able to ask questions. No comments or questions will be taken from the floor.
11:00-12:00 Animal Health Board and Department of Conservation representatives make their pro-1080 presentations and answer questions from Councillors.
12:00-1:00 A team representing farmers, the hunting community, scientists, medical practitioners and the concerns of the general public, will make their anti-1080 presentations and answer questions from Councillors.
All interested parties are welcome to attend.
(The Great Lake Centre is shown as number 4 on the map).
Monday, June 8, 2009
THE GREAT 1080 DEBATE - TAUPO
Well, what a joke!
The Great 1080 debate, organised by Taupo District Council, for tomorrow night (09/06/09) at The Great Lake Centre in Taupo, has been deferred, and softened, due to the opposition ..... not being prepared! They have had the last 20 years to be prepared, however.
Could it be that they didn't want to face the "Live" questions fired from the other side of the table, by the "credible" scientific, medical and practical experts we had waiting for them???
There is a whisper that the proponents told the Taupo District Council that the ERMA review was held in 2007, so they need not show up.
Below is the press release by the TDC, Following that is the response from Clyde Graf.
MEDIA RELEASE
4 June 2009
POSTPONED 1080 debate GOES straight to council
Tuesday’s 1080 debate has been postponed to a special council meeting sometime next month so all sides of the argument can be heard
The great 1080 debate had been scheduled to happen on Tuesday 9th June at the Great Lake Centre but Taupo District Mayor Rick Cooper says the short notice caused a few problems with availability, “we got feedback from some of the key players that they would be keen to present their views to Council, but the arrangements for 9 June didn’t suit. It is very important that they be able to attend so we decided to postpone it until we can find a time and date that works for everyone.”
“As Council are very keen to consider this issue, we have decided to reconsider the format of the meeting and convene a special Council meeting where the speakers can present their case straight to the Council, this allows questions from Councillors to be put directly to the speakers.”
Mayor Cooper says the Great Lake Centre is still very much an option as it will allow the public to attend in greater numbers if they wish “there is more room at the Great Lake Centre and Council may choose to sit there instead of the chambers.”
He says although this will delay the Council consideration of this a little, it is very important that it be dealt with in an even handed and objective manner “my fellow Councillors and I want to take this extra time to ensure we get the best advice from all sides on this serious issue.”
END
The Great 1080 Debate The Rebuttal 05/06/09
Dear Sir,
As the person responsible for assembling the team opposing the use of 1080 in New Zealand, for The Great 1080 Debate, I by no means direct my comments at the Taupo District Council, or the extensive work it has undertaken to try and arrange this unprecedented, engaging, public hearing.
This letter is in response to the no-show officials that were requested by the Mayor of Taupo to attend The Great Debate to defend their ecocidal practice of dropping enough poison to kill 20 million people per year, every year, into our forests, with little regard for where it terminates, or who or what it affects.
Scientists warn that dropping 1000's of tonnes of 1080 bait (which is also an insecticide) into our forests annually, is endangering some rare insects. In this case, it would seem our "Ecological Protectors" are not only extincting some rare species of invertebrates that they are entrusted to protect, but by refusing to front up to this debate, they share the same anatomy.
The pro 1080 candidates for this debate have suggested that they need more time to arrange their case. It must be remembered that these aerial assault artists have been at this practice for decades - one could be forgiven for thinking that after 30 years of contaminating our country, they would be able to rattle off their justification, verbatim, as is often the case through their media releases.
It is the opposition that should be able to call for extension time, not these heavily funded puppets that are running scared! These bureaucrats should face up to any organised mayoral request, to face the questions that their very existence and advocacy raises.
Taupo District Council contacted me, at short notice - I did not reply with....that can't work for us! At the drop of a hat, our underfunded, patriotic New Zealander's, made themselves available, to defend the nation, with no excuses. We assembled a team that would expose the proponents of aerial 1080 poisoning operations to a multitude of horrors and breaches, let alone ecocide.
It is reported, that in their response, they have proposed the idea that they present their "advocacy observations" (my punctuation) - to the panel - here by dodging the possibility of live retort from those armed with credible scientific expertise, credible medical expertise, credible and extensive ground experience, in a live format - this is nothing less than a reprieve.
After ERMA, the only type of format my team are in support of, is a well structured, well chaired, LIVE debate. Not a hearing where difficult questions projected by our concerned experts can be avoided, as appeared to be the case with the ERMA hearings.
Because the pro 1080 bunch are so bent on getting their facts straight, citing this as the need for more time, lets not stop at a Taupo district - live debate - let's push for national debates, in every town - or better still, an international live debate. After all, we promote our image and products to the world - let's get some uninfluenced scientists, some tourism officials and some of our biggest export partners to all get around the table and have an INTERNATIONAL, LIVE DEBATE ON THE USE OF 1080 IN NEW ZEALAND....because, apparently we have nothing to hide! Yes sir, lets do it!
The word POISON instills unease, fear, contamination, suffering and death. By simply using it we have not only contaminated our environment and wildlife, we have also contaminated our image.
In any case, we chalk this one up as a victory.
The Great 1080 debate, organised by Taupo District Council, for tomorrow night (09/06/09) at The Great Lake Centre in Taupo, has been deferred, and softened, due to the opposition ..... not being prepared! They have had the last 20 years to be prepared, however.
Could it be that they didn't want to face the "Live" questions fired from the other side of the table, by the "credible" scientific, medical and practical experts we had waiting for them???
There is a whisper that the proponents told the Taupo District Council that the ERMA review was held in 2007, so they need not show up.
Below is the press release by the TDC, Following that is the response from Clyde Graf.
MEDIA RELEASE
4 June 2009
POSTPONED 1080 debate GOES straight to council
Tuesday’s 1080 debate has been postponed to a special council meeting sometime next month so all sides of the argument can be heard
The great 1080 debate had been scheduled to happen on Tuesday 9th June at the Great Lake Centre but Taupo District Mayor Rick Cooper says the short notice caused a few problems with availability, “we got feedback from some of the key players that they would be keen to present their views to Council, but the arrangements for 9 June didn’t suit. It is very important that they be able to attend so we decided to postpone it until we can find a time and date that works for everyone.”
“As Council are very keen to consider this issue, we have decided to reconsider the format of the meeting and convene a special Council meeting where the speakers can present their case straight to the Council, this allows questions from Councillors to be put directly to the speakers.”
Mayor Cooper says the Great Lake Centre is still very much an option as it will allow the public to attend in greater numbers if they wish “there is more room at the Great Lake Centre and Council may choose to sit there instead of the chambers.”
He says although this will delay the Council consideration of this a little, it is very important that it be dealt with in an even handed and objective manner “my fellow Councillors and I want to take this extra time to ensure we get the best advice from all sides on this serious issue.”
END
The Great 1080 Debate The Rebuttal 05/06/09
Dear Sir,
As the person responsible for assembling the team opposing the use of 1080 in New Zealand, for The Great 1080 Debate, I by no means direct my comments at the Taupo District Council, or the extensive work it has undertaken to try and arrange this unprecedented, engaging, public hearing.
This letter is in response to the no-show officials that were requested by the Mayor of Taupo to attend The Great Debate to defend their ecocidal practice of dropping enough poison to kill 20 million people per year, every year, into our forests, with little regard for where it terminates, or who or what it affects.
Scientists warn that dropping 1000's of tonnes of 1080 bait (which is also an insecticide) into our forests annually, is endangering some rare insects. In this case, it would seem our "Ecological Protectors" are not only extincting some rare species of invertebrates that they are entrusted to protect, but by refusing to front up to this debate, they share the same anatomy.
The pro 1080 candidates for this debate have suggested that they need more time to arrange their case. It must be remembered that these aerial assault artists have been at this practice for decades - one could be forgiven for thinking that after 30 years of contaminating our country, they would be able to rattle off their justification, verbatim, as is often the case through their media releases.
It is the opposition that should be able to call for extension time, not these heavily funded puppets that are running scared! These bureaucrats should face up to any organised mayoral request, to face the questions that their very existence and advocacy raises.
Taupo District Council contacted me, at short notice - I did not reply with....that can't work for us! At the drop of a hat, our underfunded, patriotic New Zealander's, made themselves available, to defend the nation, with no excuses. We assembled a team that would expose the proponents of aerial 1080 poisoning operations to a multitude of horrors and breaches, let alone ecocide.
It is reported, that in their response, they have proposed the idea that they present their "advocacy observations" (my punctuation) - to the panel - here by dodging the possibility of live retort from those armed with credible scientific expertise, credible medical expertise, credible and extensive ground experience, in a live format - this is nothing less than a reprieve.
After ERMA, the only type of format my team are in support of, is a well structured, well chaired, LIVE debate. Not a hearing where difficult questions projected by our concerned experts can be avoided, as appeared to be the case with the ERMA hearings.
Because the pro 1080 bunch are so bent on getting their facts straight, citing this as the need for more time, lets not stop at a Taupo district - live debate - let's push for national debates, in every town - or better still, an international live debate. After all, we promote our image and products to the world - let's get some uninfluenced scientists, some tourism officials and some of our biggest export partners to all get around the table and have an INTERNATIONAL, LIVE DEBATE ON THE USE OF 1080 IN NEW ZEALAND....because, apparently we have nothing to hide! Yes sir, lets do it!
The word POISON instills unease, fear, contamination, suffering and death. By simply using it we have not only contaminated our environment and wildlife, we have also contaminated our image.
In any case, we chalk this one up as a victory.
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