Council urges AHB review

Council urges AHB review
By Laura Mills Hokitika Guardian Wednesday 11th August, and also Greymouth Star 11th August - Council demands AHB review

The Westland District Council has called on Parliament to not only cease all aerial 1080 drops, but review the entire Animal Health Board (AHB).
Mayor Maureen Pugh recently tabled a petition before Parliament's local government and environment select committee indicating that at least 90% of Westland residents were opposed to the toxin.
The committee then called for submissions, which have now been publicly released.
The Westland council's submission urged that "mass poisoning" be halted immediately until there could be a properly designed and executed study, independant of the Department of Conservation and Animal Health Board, showing the benefit of 1080.
The council also noted concern that, as a charitable trust, the AHB was not subject to the Official Information Act, and should be reviewed to see if it offered value to the taxpayer.
"The inability for the public to have access to the information held by the AHB breeds suspicion and mistrust within the community."
It said the AHB had avoided formally recording stock deaths.
"The tolerance for 1080 poisoning is at an all-time low and alternatives 'must' be trialed," the council submitted.
Against that, the Animal Health Board's submission said that in the past decade its strategy of using 1080 to kill possums had been effective in reducing Tb-infected herd numbers.
However, the West Coast still had disproportionately high infection numbers: "The region holds about 4% of all cattle and herds in New Zealand yet has over 30% of the nation's infected herds."
It said the Environment Risk Management Authority (Erma) had reviewed 1080 three years ago and found its use outweighed the adverse effects.
The board noted that the council had offered to work with the AHB and DOC to look into alternatives to the toxin, and while it was happy to do so, "we do not see any realistic prospects."
It had engaged independant survey professionals and in December 2009, 52% of those interviewed did not like 1080, but accepted the need for its use, the AHB submitted.
DOC was the third party to make a submission, and said the case for the continued use of aerial 1080 was "compelling."
It presented case studies, which showed 1080 was the cheapest option - in the Cascade this year the cost of ground control was $48.70 a hectare, compared with $17 a hectare for aerial control. The total saving by using aerial poison was close to $1 million.
Select committee chairman, the West Coast - Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole, yesterday could not say when the submissions would be considered: "It's on the timetable for consideration."

THE COROMANDEL FIGHTS PENINSULA POISONS (TCFPP)

The following post, about to appear in the Hauraki Herald, is from battlers based in the Coromandel, and in response to DoC's poisoning campaign at Kennedy Bay...

THE COROMANDEL FIGHTS PENINSULA POISONS (TCFPP)

We are a group of local residents who passionately believe in controlling pests without poisoning the entire wildlife system at the same time.
On August 6 2010 a full-page advertorial appeared in this paper written by the new DOC manager for our area, Melissa King-Howell, "to inform the general public about the possum control planned for Kennedy Bay."
By August 6 this operation had only a week left to run and this is the first thing most people had heard of it.

WHY DO IT?
Some trees in the bush block are "suffering from excessive possum browse" says M King-Howell. And yet the possum count is only 5.8%. Thus the excessive browse must be either an invention or caused by some other creature. Too many kaka perhaps. Either way, reducing that figure of 5.8% to 3.8 or 2.1 is not likely to make much difference. Fact is, that figure was already reduced as most of the possums had moved to an untreated neighbouring block of pines which was in flower at the time of poisoning.
Why choose bait-stations which carve tracks through the bush at 200m grids creating more damage than an army of possums in a life-time?
M King-Howell adds that the by-kill of rats with 1080 has produced increases of tui and bellbird after one breeding season in other Peninsula pest control operations.
This too turns out to be untrue as Iris Jacobs' peninsula research reveals.
Iris' report is a little shaky on the facts but two unquestionable points emerge:
1. Tui, and pigeon did not increase their numbers during the first breeding season after rat-poisoning and
2. Before the second breeding season the rat population was larger than it had been before the poisoning began.
This increase of rats after poisoning is reckoned to be between 2.5 and 6 times the original population according to all the research that has been carried out on rat abundance. (See Sweetapple, P., et al 2006)
M King-Howell has used only four sentences of anecdotal whimsy to sell the need for this Kennedy Bay project. The rest of her page is devoted to "selling" the poison 1080.

1080 CONTINUES TO KILL DOGS:
"Without protection, predators will kill nine out of ten kiwi chicks" says M King-Howell. The only known predator to kill 9 out of 10 kiwi is dogs. Does this mean that the Kennedy Bay 1080 is aimed directly at dogs?

1080 GETS INTO WATER:
M King-Howell quotes Suren 2006 as an authority on 1080 breakdown in water. Had she read his actual report she would have found that Suren 2006 had done no research whatsoever into the breakdown of 1080 poison. All the "independent water tests" she talks about were taken by the Health Board. The Health Board is part of every aerial 1080 team and in no sense can be labeled "Independent".
"Water testing done after 1080 operation is carried out to confirm that toxin is no longer present. This is to ensure that intakes of water used for drinking are not reopened during the short time when 1080 will be present after an operation. Testing is thus for clearance, rather than to detect the presence of 1080." (Hood 2007)
Mr Suren 2006, on the other hand, went looking for poison and every water sample he took within a four hours of a 1080 drop was found to contain 1080. Where it goes to no one knows.
M King-Howell has taken one line from Suren's executive summary, but she has ignored the damning evidence contained in the heart of his report.
"As all spin doctors know it is a standard trick to write an Executive Summary to emphasise the points you want journalists to pick up, and leave the detail buried in the report itself where hopefully it will remain undiscovered." (Wishart 2008)

1080 CARCINOGENIC:
"1080 is not carcinogenic" says M King-Howell, as if this is an advantage. How do we know if 1080 is carcinogentic or not? If you get 1080 poisoning cancer has no time to develop; you are dead in a few days.

1080 LIKE DDT:
The sales propaganda for 1080 has been identical to NZ's other toxins such as DDT, dioxins and Brodifacoum. All these toxins have enjoyed continued use in NZ long after their use in the wild has been banned elsewhere.

WORKERS' HEALTH:
Even though research published in DOC's submission to ERMA revealed that 25% of all 1080 workers were carrying 1080 in their systems, M King-Howell states that "Their health is monitored and no issues with 1080 have been found". No worries for Melissa perhaps but if 25% of my workers were carrying detectable traces of 1080 it would be an issue for me.

ALTERNATIVES:
$4-5 million per annum is spent on scientific research into 1080 and other toxins. Traps, encapsulated cyanide and the bio-dynamic methods of pest control have all been developed with private money. They are cheap, totally species-specific, do not cause secondary poisoning, do not get in the waterways, and leave no hidden residues.
Why have the government research teams for so long had nothing to do with the development of these very genuine alternatives?
The only "alternative" toxin to emerge from decades of research and tens of millions of dollars, is called PAPP, which Mr Eason tells us is perfect in every way. Only thing is PAPP is harmless to possums!

POLICE:
An army of DOC staff arrived in Kennedy Bay in the early hours of the morning to fill 1200 bait-stations with 1080 and get the job done in 24 hours. They were accompanied by another army of police dressed in anti-terrorist gear and carrying guns and expecting to fill their paddy wagons. They closed off the poison area with numerous road blocks. They stopped the few locals going to work and interrogated them as if they were terrorists. 32 policeman-days lost that the police were not chasing real crime.

COST:
There has been much unnecessary spending on this operation which has left the community seething and divided.
Kennedy Bay is the first example of how DOC's poisoning regime will be carried out under Melissa King-Howell: No consultation or any information prior to poisoning. Secret poisoning if possible. If word leaks out beforehand, as it did in Kennedy Bay, and there follows the slightest murmur of disapproval, Melissa will wheel in the SWAT squad and quiet that disapproval with anti-terrorist measures.

There are several websites available that contain balanced information about the use of 1080 in New Zealand.

http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0484.htm

The Stop 1080 facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-1080/175357873459?ref=ts

The Graf Boys
http://www.thegrafboys.blogspot.com/ http://www.thegrafboys.org

French TV crew to visit NZ

A French TV journalist is arriving this month to do a story on our possum, and the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand.

Dr. Quinn Whiting-Okeefe was asked by the researcher about papers used to support the use of 1080 poison. His comments, in blue, follow...

The essential facts and references are in Poisoning Paradise.

As scientists we would make five points:

First, the basic claim that one can put a universal poison into high quality food and drop in indiscriminately into ecosystems and only have a negative effect on two target species is a priori extremely improbable. Such a claim should be viewed with utmost suspicion unless supported by the highest quality of scientific research. In fact there is no research at all addressing ecosystem level consequences of this bizarre program. Furthermore, individual studies are so poorly done and obviously biased as to be laughable.

Second, the NZ government's program of mass ecosystem poisoning is unprecedented so far as we can determine, i.e., no other country is doing or has ever done anything remotely similar to what the Department of Conservation in New Zealand is doing, unless one counts the US military’s mass poisoning with agent orange (dioxin) during its part of the Vietnam War, the consequences of which for the people of Vietnam were disastrous including birth defects and increased rates of various malignancies.

Third, DoC’s own data show convincingly that many native species of birds and invertebrates are being killed by its aerial 1080 program. In several species the measured per drop kill rate is over 20% and in one over 30%.

Fourth, there is not a single scientifically credible study showing a benefit of aerial 1080 to any native species—not one. In fact, DoC’s “research” attempting to show this is almost entirely junk.

Fifth, universally accepted standards of research design are almost never followed by DoC funded studies. In fact it is recently claimed in an author-less paper published by DoC that such standards are “not applicable to ecology research” in New Zealand. What this implies is that the claims of the authors of these papers represent little more than the prejudices of their bosses at DoC whose budget is increased by at least $100M/year by the aerial 1080 program that indiscriminately spreads enough 1080 around the country to kill the entire human population of New Zealand 4 times over.

The whole thing is difficult to believe.

Unfortunately, there appear to be very few scientists in New Zealand that really care about what's taking place in our environment, or perhaps it's that they really don't know.

Or are they just afraid to speak out?

One thing I can say is, that what scientists like Dr. Whiting-Okeefe are saying is more consistent with what we've observed after years of investigating poison drop zones.

The view that 1080 is helping our forests, and that bird-life is abundant after aerial poison drops, is complete non-sense. We have traveled the country, visiting many drop sites, and we are yet to see any evidence of benefit from the use of 1080 poison. There is none!

Police apologise for incident on West Coast

Inspector John Canning, of the Greymouth Police Station, today phoned and apologised for the conduct of a police officer from his district, that was involved in the incident in which one of our camera microphones was broken. The incident took place at one of the recent Westland 1080 protests sites, on Monday evening, the 5th of July.

Inspector Canning was caught up in the incident after it appears he was informed by area staff that it was the behavior of Clyde Graf that induced the reaction, and that this behavior was the cause of the microphone to be torn from its mount by a police officer. However, film footage from the incident contrasts this view.

The comments published in the Hokitika Guardian and Greymouth Star newspapers, 2 days after the incident, were considered as defamatory.

Inspector Canning also suggested that we arrange a quote for the damaged microphone, and forward it to Greymouth Police Station, for payment.

Inspector Canning stated that he has begun an investigation into the incident.

To view the incident posted on a You-tube by Wyn Hibberd, click here.

Deer in our forests

The argument of whether deer belong in our forests or not, comes up regularly. Many groups, and educational institutions attempt to inDOCtrinate their members and students with the theory that deer, and some other wild animals, are pests that cause permanent damage to New Zealand forests, and should be eradicated.

Deer populations are low, to very low, in most parts of the country.

However, the unfounded claims, and bias research still roll out on a regular basis, and contradict what is actually happening in our forests.
It is probably not unreasonable to speculate that believers in the "deer cause permanent forest damage" theory have never seen a wild deer, let alone have any experience in the wilderness - at least in regard to getting off the beaten track.

Secondhand stories, and fables that have been passed down through generations have helped develop an "anti-exotic animal phobia", as a visiting zoologist pointed out 53 years ago...

In 1957 a Professor of zoology - Dr. William Graf - visited New Zealand to look at deer populations. His paper is called...

OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS ON DEER CONTROL AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN NEW ZEALAND

The following excerpts (in blue) are from his findings...

The trip to NZ is part of the overall study of the Hawaiian deer study started on September 1, 1957.

This study was initiated as a result of the conflict of interests and opinion as to the desirability

of introducing deer into territorial islands beyond the present range of distribution of the deer i

n Hawaii.
The argument against the introduction of deer into new areas was based upon a number of points. Basically these were as follows...

1/ The current and widely-held belief that "where vegetation develops in the absence of grazing or browsing animals such vegetation will later be unable to withstand grazing and browsing and will quickly be exterminated by grazing and browsing animals."

2/ That wild animals introduced into areas where no such animals have ever been found will result in uncontrollable populations of these animals with a consequent denudation of the vegetation.

3/ The antagonism produced as a result of the introduced deer into any of the presently deer-free islands

was based to a large extent upon information about NZ and its supposed deer population problems.

Professor Graf goes on to say....

The arguments with regard to New Zealand were presented in such volume and so strongly that they could not be ignored. The evidence with regard to New Zealand, however, was so conflicting from the standpoint of known facts about deer populations in other

parts of the world, that the only solution was to go to New Zealand and examine the situation first hand.

The information used was often based on newspaper stories written by obviously uninformed and prejudiced people. The nature of the articles showed obviously an emotional bias by people not trained in recognising evidence, much less in interpreting it. Quite often the wrong species of animal would be involved. It was difficult to accept statements about the uncontrollable numbers of animals when such statements were directly opposed to all experiences with similar or the same species in other parts of the world. Population behavior and relationship to environment follow basic rules which are not likely to be suspended simply because of change in location.
Because of this and the fact that the NZ information did not agree with the evidence which I found in Hawaii, the decision was made to go to New Zealand.

In summary, Dr. Graf makes the following comments...

It was found that there exists in NZ what amounts to an "anti-exotic animal phobia" to an extent that much of the public as well as many government officials do not and cannot view the situation in an objective perspective.

Administration and management of the wildlife resources is widely divided among various departments and agencies in NZ. The result is often one of duplication of work, conflict of interests, philosophies and policies, with the inevitable inefficiency and waste of time and money.

Throughout my visit in New Zealand I was repeatedly informed that "conditions in New Zealand were different." I must emphatically deny that conditions were different from any basic standpoint related to principles of biology or ecology. The basic problems as i found them are no different in NZ than they are in North America, Hawaii or Europe. Only the details vary. The principles that apply to these problems and the problems are the same.
The oft repeated and widely believed statement about "vegetation which develops

in the absence of grazing and browsing animals-" simply does not stack up under close scrutiny.

First of all, where no browsing or grazing animals have been found before the advent of white man and his introductions, the vegetation has been derived almost entirely if not entirely so, from plant families which evolved on mainland areas in the presence of grazers and browsers.

Secondly, that where no grazers or browsers are present the normal genetic process is for random development of all types of variations, some resistant and some not resistant to animal use, and in all degrees of variation. It would be just as logical to postulate that such vegetation will all be highly resistant to animal use as to say it will not be resistant to animal use.

Thirdly, New Zealand vegetation can hardly be considered as a type which developed in the absence of vegetarian animals. The various birds, extinct and present, are to a large extent browsers. The pigeons, parakeets and parrots are leaf and bud eaters.

The best proof of toughness of New Zealand vegetation is the way it has withstood the most ruthless use -man's fire and livestock. Wherever fire and logging use has been discontinued the forest is coming back - and in the presence of deer, sheep and even goats as I saw myself within a few miles of Wellington.
In addition to this, New Zealand has produced some of the finest hedge plants in use today in the United States. If the oft-quoted statement about vegetation evolution in the absence of grazers and browsers is to be taken at face value, one would have to conclude that these hedge plants must have evolved in the presence of wild hedge shearers.

I am left with no choice except to conclude that the information about numbers of deer and their effect upon the vegetation was in error. Certainly the figures about deer do not agree with any possible reproductive capacity, or even potential, of any known deer species.

It's worth pointing out that when Dr. Graf visited New Zealand in 1957, deer numbers were probably 10 times higher than they are now, but the facts remain the same. In many ways, his conclusions are more relevant now, than they were then.

Whether you agree with Dr. Graf's findings or not, there certainly is a thread of "anti-exotic animal phobia" entrenched in New Zealand educational institutions, departmental bodies and lobby groups.

In regard to the consensus on deer populations in our forests -

A study was conducted by W. Fraser for Landcare Research, (Landcare Research series no. 23) which found that 95% of people surveyed would like to a see deer in the back country.

A ministerial paper was also conducted into peoples views on game animals, and of the 4000 respondents, 80% thought these animals were a resource.

It is mis-information and "anti-exotic animal phobias" that are encouraging the unnecessary aerial poisoning campaigns currently used in New Zealand.

If we can find a middle ground, where our wild animals are managed sensibly, and our objectives remain reasonable, then I think we can eventually all start heading in the same direction, and work toward a cleaner, greener, and happier New Zealand.

Police incident at 1080 protest site

The following segments are from the Greymouth Star newspaper, Wednesday July 7, 2010...

...West Coast police say documentary makers jammed their camera through the window of a police car, breaking it, during a skirmish with anti -1080 protesters at Waitaha yesterday...

Anti -1080 film-makers Clyde and Steve Graf could not be contacted this morning as they were back filming the final throes of the big poison drop in South Westland, but they told TV3 last night their camera was grabbed and the cable broken off in an unprovoked attack by a policeman.

The article goes on to say...

(Inspector John Canning made the following statement)..."As I understand it, the police car pulled up and the camera was jammed through the open window and into the face of an officer."

He said it was the action of one person acting "rudely." "Perhaps that's why a complaint has not been made."

Steve and I were there to film the poison drops, and the protest sites. We were not there to protest, we were quietly going about our business, and were in no way behaving rudely.

In response to the comments that were made in the Greymouth Star, and the Hokitika Guardian, a video clip of the event has been passed to a representative, Mr. Wyn Hibberd, and posted on you-tube, the link is below.

A large truck, laden with 1080 poison, was due to deliver its load to a helicopter loading site. It was between the hours of 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday evening, the 5th of July, when the incident unfolded.

Protesters, young and old, had gathered to demonstrate their disapproval of the aerial 1080 poison operation that was to cover 90,000 hectares of the forests that surround their homes.

1080 is a deadly poison that can kill any insect, and any animal that breathes air, including native birds. 1080 (Sodium monofluoroacetate) has no taste, no smell, and no antidote.

It is manufactured in the U.S., in a small factory based in Alabama.

It is dropped from helicopters, contained in attractive food, across New Zealand forests. It is used to target possums and rats, but also kills large numbers of deer, birds, and is also extremely toxic to dogs.

One thing's for sure, the effects of using 1080 poison reach far beyond the forest margins.

The protesters, and the police, are becoming more and more involved with every drop.

1080 is not just poisonous to consume, but it's poisonous in a social context as well.

To view the video clip of the police-protest incident - click here

SPCA need to act on DoC & AHB mass scale, animal cruelty

Over the last month, the west coast of the south island of New Zealand has been subjected to the single largest aerial 1080 poison operation, in New Zealand history. The area covered is over 90,000 hectares.

These drops are happening all across

New Zealand, on a weekly basis

Last Tuesday we were again flown

into the 1080 poison drop zone, through the generosity of helicopter pilot Peter Salter.

We decided to explore the coast side of the road.

The pristine beaches and public highways were given a 150 metre buffer zone. Very generous. Residents and farmers water catchment's are not so fortunate, and as is always the case, poison is dropped directly into all waterways under 3 metres in width, within the drop zones.

We landed on a river bed, and then ventured into the hills.

Soon after arriving, we came across a deer that had been poisoned.

Her head was in the usual position, stretched awkwardly behind

her back, and her legs extended straight out, as is consistent with

the convulsions that increase as death nears.

The bright sunlight was streaming through the canopy,

and illuminated the hind's eye. The massive blood vessel damage was obvious.

Deer are none target animals, and it is illegal to poison deer with 1080 in New Zealand.

Scientists estimate 20,000 deer are poisoned every year with 1080 poison.

How do our bureaucratic authorities get away with it? Easy, they say they are not targeting deer! That simple response, exempts them from prosecution.

A vital point is, it's not just deer that are subjected to this most abhorrent method of animal control - some others included are - dogs, cats, goats, possums, rats, cows, sheep, horses, rabbits, hares, many species of birds, insects, and even people (often considered the least important, and some believe, considered among the rats and possums).

Poisoned animals can take from several hours, to several days to die from 1080 poisoning, and there is NO antidote.

We decided to do an autopsy.

We have been filming and making documentaries on the use of 1080 poison for over 4 years. We are now working on our 3rd, and final, in our trilogy that covers the environmental ecocide that is taking place in New Zealand forests.

Yet, we have never conducted an autopsy on an animal before.

I don't know why!

When we rolled the hind over, it was apparent that blood had been pouring out of her eyes and her mouth.

We have heard reports from farmers that have stated their animals eyes bulge out of their heads after being poisoned with 1080. Seeing is believing.

The second thing we observed was that the deer's bladder was restricted, and contained blood.

We are told by the users of 1080 that poisoned animals do not suffer, and that they simply fall asleep, while dying. Very misleading, indeed!

Steve conducted the autopsy, and he has butchered 1000's of deer, wild and domestic. He was a butcher in the venison works for several years. Our father has also butchered 1000's of wild deer. Never have either seen such internal damage, even by a mislaid bullet!

The hind's lungs were severely damaged.

An animal that has been humanely killed has bright pink, puffy lungs. Not so with a death by 1080 poison!

The lung damage helps to explain the orange froth and blood that is often found oozing from animals nostrils and mouths.

Keep in mind, it takes hours, to days, for these animals to die, and they number in the 1000's, in most aerial poison operations.

The hind's rear end was extremely swollen, bruised, and appeared to be filled with blood.

Steve inspected the area that should normally be clean, and free from hemorrhaging.

Once again, what was revealed was gross bleeding, and obvious, prolonged suffering.

Who are these disturbed people, that spread such distress?

Who are the perpetrators of such horrific animal cruelty?

I'll tell you they're our own Department of Conservation, the Animal Health Board, and the Regional Councils!!!

Why would these people commit such crimes?

Because they choose to be ignorant, and refuse to believe the truth when it stares them in the face. Our field staff simply believe what our authorities tell them - and so they should - but sometimes a little bit of thinking is required, to keep the balance.

A great man once said...

"Unthinking respect for authority, is the greatest enemy of truth!" That was Albert Einstein, and it's as relevant today, as it was when the great man walked the earth.

Parts of this story was published in today's Greymouth Star - minus the photos - the photos were considered too emotive!!!!!!!!

DoC spokesman, Ian Gill stated in that report..."Clyde has simply not found the massive level of carnage that he thought that he would find and so he is playing with people's emotions", he said.
"What he is failing to tell people is that he also knows that gut-shot and wounded deer also die agonising, slow deaths. He has a very selective concern."

Are you serious, Mr. Gill? As was stated, we have never seen such internal damage, even on an accidental, "gut-shot" animal, ever!

We have many years of experience in the venison industry, unlike most employees of DoC, and to try to dismiss this repulsive act, under the guise of emotions, just confirms DoC staff's callous inDoCtrination.

What these animals are put through has nothing to do with emotive! This is fact. This is happening. This is a serious crime, that must end!

There is no disputing that 1080 is too inhumane to be used in this way.

Our brave people in SPCA must add their weight to help stop the perpetrators - that are beyond moral judgement, and ethical behavior.

SPCA, It is time to risk sacrificing your jobs, your relationships with these authorities, and stand up for what you are meant to represent - the humane welfare of animals, domestic or wild!!!

Please keep your eye on the US bill to have 1080 manufacture, import and export, banned.

Comments from a scientist

Below is a recent letter from a scientist that has spent allot of time researching the science behind the use of 1080 in New Zealand. He is writing in response to a request about his and his wife's research...

3rd July, 2010

...In general, DoC/AHB has done little of what even they would call “research” establishing the efficacy and ecosystem safety of dropping food laced with a poison universally toxic to aerobic organisms into forest ecosystems, and what has been done is most often methodologically flawed. Little of it would probably be unpublishable except in NZ.

The focus of our investigation was on the evidence regarding the effect of aerial 1080 on native ecosystems. We have only looked superficially at the evidence regarding AHB’s claim that aerial-1080 is essential to bovine TB control, because that assertion is relatively easily dispelled (in our minds) without direct reference to the “research”, despite its dubiousness.

The evidence showing that possums are an important vector in the transmission of bovine TB is circumstantial. No direct experiments have shown transmission and the decline in infection rates in cattle have been coincident with the implementation of herd testing and control measures. Nonetheless, we have generally avoided taking on those issues because there are clear, less risky, cheaper, and equally effective means of controlling possum populations, especially in the 7 km pasture margins where it may to be important for the control of bovine TB in live stock.

Our Appraisal document is now out of date and critical new evidence and analysis has been done that greatly strengthens the case against aerial-1080. However, it does contain a section at the beginning that explains in lay terms the elements of good experimental design in complex systems.

Finally, I would warn that the principles of statistical inference and their relationship to the structure of experimental design are deep and subtle, there only being a few people in the world who truly understand them. They can be reduced to a few simple rules to be followed, but the real connection between randomization and replication in experimental design and the statistical tests is one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th Century and probably goes beyond what is achievable in a few bullet points. The reason why this is important is that it means to some degree the quality of research becomes an appeal to the authority of “experts”, which almost anyone can claim to be. (Name hidden by blogger)(******** for example is Doc’s standard reference and his is riddled with statistical and methodological errors.) Thus, pursuing the quality of research argument tends to descend into “we do good research” “no you don’t” arguments. (Incidentally, these rules are almost entirely ignored or misinterpreted in the DoC/AHB experiments.)

Dr. Quinn Whiting-Okeefe

Bill to ban the manufacture and export of 1080 introduced to U.S. Congress

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) introduced the Compound 1080 and Sodium Cyanide Elimination Act (H.R.5643) before the U.S. Congess, yesterday (NZ time).
The Bill - To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of the poison sodium fluoroacetate (known as ‘‘Compound 1080’’) and to prohibit the use of sodium cyanide for predator control.
"We are extremely excited about our chances of finally passing this bill to ban these two deadly agents that indiscriminately harm and kill wildlife, pets and people." Said Brooks Fahy, of Predator Defense, who has been working on this issue for several years.
"In the past few years we have garnered significant Congressional support for this legislation and have built a coalition with other environmental organisations that have backed us with their expertise and seasoned political strategists." said Fahy.

This is great News, and sends a clear message to our government ministers and authorities, that here in New Zealand we should be considering the same. For too long this country has been married to the indiscriminate, aerial use of 1080, which puts the welfare of our wildlife and people at great risk. However, Animal Control Products, a New Zealand state owned enterprise based in Wanganui, has a stock pile of 1080 which is estimated will last for several more years, should the U.S. bill be successful.

None the less, this is certainly a step in the right direction, and may open some doors to encourage more critical thinking when it comes to the careless use of 1080, like we see in New Zealand.

Maori Party MP Rahui Katene intends to draft a member's bill to ban the use of 1080 poison.

This is another great move, and indicates clear thinking from The Maori Party.

To view press release - Click Here

To see the US bill, click on this link - Bill to ban 1080

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.

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.
Although 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!

Australian Forest Certification Helps End 1080 Use

Australian Forest Certification Helps End 1080 Use
JUN 21 2010 AUSTRALIA

Australian Forestry Standard Limited (AFSL) has congratulated leading Australian forestry company Gunns Limited on its decision to end the use of 1080 poison as part of its Tasmanian Forestry operations.

AFSL Chief Executive Officer Kayt Watts said, "Australian Forestry Standard Limited welcomes Gunn's decision to end the use of 1080 poison. This important step by Gunns is consistent with AFSL's Standard AS 4708 for forest management and will enhance Gunns' sustainable forest management."

In banning 1080, Gunns has taken a further step mandated by Australian Forestry Standard's key forest management standard which outlines the economic, social, environmental and cultural criteria for sustainable timber production.

In announcing that it will end the use of 1080 immediately, Gunns Chief Executive Officer Greg L'Estrange said: "The decrease of our reliance upon chemical usage is an integral part of the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement."

He also said, "We actively encourage community engagement and will continue to consider the views of all stakeholders in determining our forest management policies. We hope that this decision is welcomed by the community."

Gunns decision to end its use of 1080 is evidence of the community and corporate benefits which flow when companies adopt policies which that seek to maximize their performance against Australian Forestry Standard criteria, Ms Watts said.

The Australian forestry standards ensure that companies with AFS certification meet the consumer demand and are recognised as socially responsible corporate citizens who support sustainable forest management.

The poison was previously used to prevent native and feral animals from destroying forest seedlings. To enable it to end the use of 1080, Gunns has developed stronger, hardier seedlings, developed new netting around the seedlings and new strategies for the types and timing of fertiliser they use to ensure a rapid growth of the seedlings, so they are more resistant to browsing animals.

Ms Watts said that AFSL expects that Gunns decision will encourage greater recognition in export timber markets and among domestic users of timber products that that AFS-certified forest product companies are making a positive contribution to the future of Australian native forests through their sustainable harvesting processes, for which the Australian Forest Certification Scheme provides independent certification.

The Australian Forest Certification Scheme provides the only Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and the only Chain of Custody (CoC) certification process that are Australian Standards.

AFS is a member of PEFC, the world's largest forest certification system.

Further Information
Kayt Watts This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CEO Australian Forestry Standard Limited

To see original story, please press link http://www.pefc.org/index.php/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/news-detail/item/518-australian-forest-certification-helps-end-1080-use

Poisoning Paradise gets second UK nomination

Poisoning Paradise has just received its second international film festival nomination.
It is 1 of 5 films nominated in the Environment and Ecology section of the Heart of England Film Festival, held in the UK. The festival runs in August.
Click here to read scoop story http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1006/S00257.htm

Filming in Westland -

Filming in Westland -Tuesday - 15th June - Operation site


Steve, father and I arrived at the Animal Health Board's 1080 operation site at about 7.ooam. By the time we arrived, protesters had crossed the fence, and ventured into the loading area. About 7 police cars arrived, plus a paddy wagon which was used to transport the 5 arrested, to Greymouth.

Katie Earnshaw was interviewed by TV3 and TVONE after she left the protest site.

She photographed the event as it unfolded, and managed to walk away without being arrested. She told us that the protesters were told they could leave the site without being arrested if they left immediately. As they were heading toward the gate, police changed their minds, then arrested 5 of the protesters as they left. Another was charged the following day. The police handled the situation very well, and appeared to be sympathetic toward the protesters stance.

When things had settled down, we headed into the drop zone.

At least 5 helicopters were used in this operation, and they managed to poison about 40,000 hectares of Westland forest, in this single day. Two different locations were used for loading the baits into the choppers hoppers.

We drove up the Totara Valley road and filmed and photographed the choppers working. Baits were filmed landed on the road, and in the stream beds.

Apart from the poison baits lying around the valley, the poison signs themselves contaminate the

beautiful scenery and must leave visitors wondering what the heck is with the skull and cross bones littered at every track entrance, hut or site of significance.

Wednesday 16th of June - Kiwi Flat

Peter Salter, helicopter pilot and owner of The Bushman Centre, used his R22 helicopter to fly us into the drop zone. We headed into Kiwi Flat, for about 3 hours of looking around.

What struck us the most was the absence of bird life.

The weather was perfect, and there was little wind. Admittedly, it was the cold side of the ridge, but in those 3 hours, I didn't see a bird in the bush! I heard several Silver Eyes, and 1 Tomtit. But not a single Robin, Fantail, Weka, Wood Pigeon, Tui, Bellbird, Kakariki, Rifleman or Grey Warbler was seen! Not even a Blackbird. Now normally we would expect to see some of these species following us around, but it was astonishing, when comparing to areas we have visited where 1080 has never been used, just how much damage is being done with these drops.

When we returned to the river flats, and while waiting for the chopper to return, we did see 2 ducks, 2 Tomtits and a Silver Eye.

This area has been aerially dropped at least twice before.

Thursday 17th June - Flat Creek

Peter flew us in to Flat Creek on Thursday, for a 5 hour search around.

R22 choppers can only carry 1 passenger at a time, so 3 trips were needed to get us into the area.

As Steve and Peter were flying in they spotted a dead deer in the stream bed. They couldn't land on the site, so flew further upstream, to a suitable landing spot. Our plan was to work our way back down stream, through the bush, and checking the stream as we went.

When we landed, baits were immediately spotted all across the stream bed, and in the water.

This is typical of all drop zones we have visited.

Helicopters can't avoid smaller waterways, so simply drop the poison across them at the same rate as land areas.

GPS helps ensure the choppers cover their flight paths thoroughly.

GPS does not prevent

baits from being dropped into streams.

All streams under 3 metres wide are allowed to have 1080 dropped directly into them, as stated on resource consents.

These streams, of course, make up the bigger rivers.

In the 5 hours we searched in the Flat Creek area, once again, I did not see a single bird in the bush, not even a Blackbird! However, one Blackbird was found dead, and 1 Kea was heard. Several finches were also heard.

As we progressed, Steve found 2 dead deer. A hind, and her yearling.

The yearling had a large amount of pink froth piled around her nose and mouth, which indicated internal lung damage.

The hind had her head buried in a hole under a tree, and when we pulled her out, we could see the froth from her nose, and bleeding from her mouth was clearly visable.

The animals appeared to have suffered a cruel death. Their eyes were hazy, and fogged over, which is not typical with an animal that has died quickly. An animal that has been shot, for example, has clear eyes.

We kept moving down stream, and eventually came upon the deer that was spotted from the chopper.

It was a young stag, and it had its neck bent violently, and head buried behind its back, suggesting, once again, an inhumane death.

Going by the deer sign, it appeared to have been moving up the creek
eating the baits on the river bed, as it went.

It is quite common to find animals, dead after 1080 drops, in stream beds and waterways.

The only possum we found in the 2 days of searching, was also dead in the stream.

These animals are left to decompose where they die. They are poisonous, because the 1080 that killed them is retained in their carcass - but they also contaminate the water ways with bacteria as they decompose.

This is just one of the reasons 1080 should never be used aerially - and there are many more.

It is worth pointing out that it is illegal to kill deer with 1080, in New Zealand.

So how do authorities get away with it? Easy, they simply deny they are targeting them!

It is estimated by scientists that 20,000 deer are killed in 1080 drops, every year!

It's not difficult to understand why the people living in the drop zone areas, that use and enjoy the forests, are so against these drops. It is the users of the forests that are most aware of the damage that is being done by the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand. We can expect to see more civil disobedience, as long as these peoples civil rights continue to be breached by authoritative dictatorships.

In the 2 days of searching, we found 1 dead rat, 1 dead Blackbird, 3 dead deer, and only 1 dead possum - and the possum was a small animal, lying in the stream.

ENDS.

Heading to Westland

We are heading to Westland this Sunday the 13th, to film the pending 80,000 hectare drop of Compound 1080 into the Westland National Park. We have been requested by residents of the area to film and produce a mini doco on the event. We will be covering the drop, and filming any evidence of harm. We will also be interviewing the local individuals, and presenting what they deem as the best way forward for the district, in regard to future wildlife management.
We are keen to hear from anyone with information on Kiwi, Kea or live stock deaths by 1080, or any other information that is deemed relevant. Thanks.

"Poison use a sinister tale" - The Press 2002

The following article appeared in the Christchurch Press in January 2002.
What's intriguing is how the British team quickly identified indicators of an industry built on poison, and how their story echoes the voice of 1000's of New Zealanders across the country - even after the ERMA reassessment of 1080 poison in 2007...

Poison use 'a sinister tale'
Article from:
The Press
Article date:
January 29, 2002

NELSON -- A British filmmaker's criticism of 1080 poison use in New Zealand has alarmed government departments.

Terry Brownbill, making a documentary to be screened in Europe, says the real story behind our use of 1080 is "a sinister tale of corruption and bureaucratic indifference".

The Department of Conservation (DOC) says his allegations of public lies and alleged corruption are unfounded.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, worried about the documentary's impact on meat- export markets, says concerns expressed by Brownbill about the possibility of 1080 residue entering food are invalid.

Last May Brownbill led a two- man film crew on a three-week tour of New Zealand, talking to opponents and supporters of aerial 1080 use. The resulting documentary is still being edited.

Brownbill says DOC and the Animal Health Board (AHB) were "empires built on poison" and British viewers of his documentary would be horrified by the poisoning of New Zealand "in the name of the Queen".

Brownbill's documentary was commissioned by Britain's Sky TV.

Brownbill said the programme made it very clear New Zealand's pure image was a sham.

"When the world gets to know the full horror of how New Zealand is carpet bombing millions of acres of farmland and native forest, there will be a backlash which could seriously affect agricultural exports and tourism," he said.

"Both DOC and the AHB are empires built on poison.

"New Zealand seems far more concerned about losing its clean- green image than it does about protecting its people."

Animal Health Board communications manager Nick Hancox said the board was more interested in achieving its aim of reducing TB in New Zealand than "empire building". --NZPA

Supplied by New Zealand Press Association

The 1080 industry

"Conspiracy theory!", the pro-1080 camp cry when challenged about the 1080 industry in New Zealand.
Any suggestion that the use of 1080 in New Zealand is simply business, is immediately dismissed as a conspiracy theory, by the pro-1080 lobby.
The following excerpt sheds some light on the intentions of some of those involved in the industry, and one example of how they endeavor to ensure their interests remain viable.

Whether a conspiracy theory or not, there is certainly a big industry built around the use of 1080 in New Zealand...

Tom Look - posted the following comment on Facebook today...

Conspiracy theories are only theories until proof is found. They are then conspiracy. Here we have 3 government agencies conspiring to ensure that a fourth government agency, ERMA, decides in favour of their profits.
From ACP (Animal Control Products - owned by our government).
Statement of corporate intent 2006-2008

7. RISK MANAGEMENT The Company defines risk as any event which represents a potential threat or obstacle to the achievement of its objectives. The Company has implemented risk management strategies in all areas of its business and recognises the need to proactively manage risk.
One area of risk is the re-registration of 1080 by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. The outcome of the review is uncertain at this time but any restriction could have a material impact on ACP operations. In the 2005/2006 year the re-registration process will have a high public profile and will be closely scrutinised.
To facilitate the re-registration a steering group has been established including representatives from Animal Health Board, Department of Conservation and Animal Control Products limited. The Company will continue to participate in this steering group to ensure the reassessment process is robust, well managed and delivers the best possible outcome.

Reviewing Department of Conservation's 1080 practice - An independent scientific review

Two american scientists spent 6 months reviewing DoC's (Department of Conservation) 1080 practice in New Zealand.
This is their summary, as it appears on www.possumbusters.co.nz ....

About a year ago we learned that DoC was routinely and indiscriminately dropping food laced with tonnes of a universal poison, 1080 into our forest ecosystems. Ostensibly, this aerial poisoning of our forests is being done to control possums.

DoC asserts that only possums and other so called “pests” are significantly poisoned. As scientists and life-long environmentalists, we were struck that this contention appears to violate the most fundamental ecological principles as well as common sense. Is it plausible that one could drop food mixed with a poison that kills all animals into a semi-tropical ecosystem and only negatively affect possums and other “pests”?

This question is particularly relevant now in light of the upcoming aerial 1080 drop into the Coromandel watershed. In science, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. We resolved to determine whether the extraordinary claims of DoC have the weight of extraordinary evidence behind them. The answer is unequivocal: they do not.

After months of investigation, we found that 1080 research, almost entirely sponsored and controlled, by DoC sustained six conclusions, which given the large cost and risks of DoC’s aerial 1080 program we find truly astonishing.

First, there is not a single scientifically credible study showing that aerial 1080 when used on the mainland is of net benefit to any species of New Zealand’s native fauna, let alone has the general salvational effects claimed by DoC.

Second, there is overwhelming evidence from DoC’s own research that aerial 1080 is killing large numbers of native animals, including birds, insects and other invertebrates, and our only native mammal, the bat. Moreover most native species are entirely unstudied.

Third, there is not a single ecosystem level study showing lack of harm, let alone showing the overwhelming beneficial effects that DoC claims. In fact 1080 drops often increase stoat and rat populations.

Fourth, while it is probable that possums, if left unchecked, would over time do some damage to our forests, the degree of that damage is not known and whether that damage is being controlled with aerial 1080 without irreversible damage to the forest ecosystem is entirely unproven.

Fifth, DoC’s 1080 research is generally of poor scientific quality, is obviously biased as one would expect given the fact that the researchers owe their jobs to the goodwill of the DoC bureaucracy, and it does not actually show what DoC claims.

Sixth, in any case, it is clear from AHB research that there is a clear alternative: ground based baiting with species specific bait stations. In short there is absolutely nothing in the scientific record that would justify the following statement from DoC’s May 14 press release: “Without 1080, the price New Zealanders would have to pay in the loss of their unique species and habitats is too awful to contemplate.”

To the contrary, DoC’s own science tells a depressingly grim story. DoC habitually, publicly and aggressively misrepresents what its research shows. For example, DoC claims in its ERMA submission “that robin nesting success more than compensates for any robin losses from 1080”. This is absolutely false.

The cited study showed increased nesting success in 1 of 3 years, but even that single success failed to translate into increased robin population success -- the bottom line. The study also showed that 54% of banded robins died in the 1080 poisoned area compared to none in the un-poisoned area.

DoC has claimed that Kereru populations are increased by aerial 1080 treatment, and yet the only study published on the subject was methodological nonsense, which proved nothing, but incidentally “showed” that Grey Warblers and Silvereye populations decreased in the 1080 treated area, an observation never mentioned by DoC’s otherwise highly efficient public opinion control machine.

DoC claims that the tomtit is not affected by aerial 1080 bait, and cites a study done by Westbrooke in 2005 to prove that. However, the published paper actually shows that substantial numbers of tomtits could be being killed even by low concentration cereal baits, and more important it shows that about 40% of tomtits died when exposed to low concentration carrot baits!!! Yet this is never mentioned by DoC. Carrot bait is still in widespread use by DoC.

DoC claims that bats are unaffected by aerial 1080. However, a competent 2002 study by Lloyd and McQueen showed that bats were clearly poisoned. The study gave a “best estimate” that 14% of bats would be killed in 14 foraging flights in a 1080-poisoned area...

There is even substantial evidence that DoC has suppressed critical research unfavourable to its aerial-1080 agenda. This research on invertebrates (insects, worms, spiders, etc.) is perhaps the most disturbing. In 1992, M Meads completed a study for DoC that showed approximately 50% mortality among forest invertebrates from a single aerial 1080 “treatment”.

DoC refused to allow the resulting paper to be published. At the same time they commissioned a similar study which structurally had no chance of detecting the high mortality seen in the Meads study. The resulting poorly designed and analyzed study remains the sole DoC-published evidence that its indiscriminate use of a poison which originally developed as an insecticide is not devastating our forest invertebrates.

The implications of this are truly disturbing given that invertebrates are the backbone of forest ecosystems. In fact, DoC’s use of aerial 1080 over the intervening 15 years has probably already done irreversible damage to the diversity of our native invertebrates which DoC is mandated to protect. New Zealand is unique in the world in its use of aerial 1080.

No other country is doing anything remotely similar to this. New Zealand uses over 85% of the world’s supply of 1080, a poison that is toxic to all animals, that is banned or severely restricted in most countries, and that is classified “extremely hazardous” by the World Health Organization. In response to this, DoC asserts that New Zealand is in a unique ecological position, but this is simply not true.

For example, the State of Hawaii has an almost identical problem with feral mammals threatening native birds, and we learned from Miles Nakahara, Forest & Wildlife branch manager that Hawaii would not even consider such a practice. “You are pretty cavalier using a poison like that … you will destroy the forest … you will lose the very thing you are trying to save.”

In addition to the lethal damage that 1080 is doing to our fauna is the potential chronic risk to animals and humans of exposure to 1080 given the proximity of recent and planned drops near habitated areas such as ours.

The acute lethal poisoning level for adult humans is some where between 30 and 200 mg. It would take eating the poison bait directly, eating a poisoned animal or an accident in a water catchment to achieve that level of toxicity.

But what is not known is the effect of sublethal and chronic poisoning. Since humans cannot be experimented upon, there are two potential avenues of approach regarding the risk to humans. First are animal experiments.

The more similar the animal is to humans, the more compelling. In this case, it may not need to be that close since the mechanism of poisoning by 1080 is common to virtually all air breathing organisms. There are very few studies in which chronic and sublethal effects have been examined and they tend to be limited in scope and short term.

What research has been done indicates that 1080 in sublethal doses can cause infertility, hormonal dysfunction, and mutations in several vertebrate species (SA Weaver, 2006).

The second approach is to examine theoretical arguments based on the modes of the poison’s action, the organs most affected and biological mechanisms of cellular disruption. Dr. Peter Scanlon’s submission to ERMA is the best review covering these issues of which we are aware.

In short, this state of affairs regarding potential chronic human toxicity is utterly deplorable. DoC has not seen fit to investigate the extent to which these may be affecting native species via chronic exposure even though its stated intention is to “treat” our forests with 1080 poisoning every two or three years into the indefinite future.

At present, we can only speculate on the long term and chronic effects of these sublethal doses of 1080 on our native species AND ourselves. Lacking evidence, to simply assume that there is no collateral damage and significant chronic effects is irresponsible in the extreme. DoC’s lack of concern and hubris matches that of the DDT story and the U.S. dropping of dioxin (agent orange) on Vietnam.

The question always arises: why are DoC and EW pushing this apparently insane practice. Many DoC employees seem to sincerely believe the company line that 1080 is a magic elixir for our forests. It is a kind of religion based in a perception that all feral species should be eliminated—absurd as that is when one says it out loud.

However, the more fundamental motivation appears to be money, budget maximization, the bureaucrat’s raison d’etre, some $80 million per year. It is easy enough to espouse this crusade against possums (and highly selected other feral species) when one gets everything from it: increased salary, perquisites, reputation, power, patronage, convenience, and ease of management. They can spend the money with whomever and in whatever way they wish.

As such, aerial 1080 “pest” control is a bureaucratic motivator with irresistible force. In summary, the scientific evidence indicates that we may be doing substantial, possibly irreversible, damage to our forest ecosystem by this inherently anti-environmental practice.

We think it is time to stop, and it is time that DoC stop propagandizing us with infantile unsupported sound bites that pander to emotion. It is time to produce the extraordinary evidence to support this extraordinary practice.

It is time that every New Zealander demand the truth from DoC and it is time to demand that the use of aerial 1080 be discontinued until the real effect of 1080 on us, our forest ecosystems and our environment is demonstrated to be beneficial by competent and independent scientific research.

Our forests, their inhabitants, our international reputation as an environmentally sane nation and perhaps our own long-term health are at stake. Patricia Whiting -OKeefe, PhD (Chemistry), Quinn Whiting-OKeefe, BA (Chemistry, Math), MA (Math), MD, FACMI (The completely referenced scientific report supporting the material in this article is available as a free download from www.thegrafboys.org. Ends.