Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy, mid-point review.

Environment Canterbury is undertaking a mid-point review of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy 2005-2015 which is open for public consultation until August 30 to allow time for further input.

Environment Canterbury consulted with local pest liaison committees and stakeholders during July 2009. In November and December last year, public meetings were also held in Kaikoura, Amberley, Tai Tapu, Duvauchelle, Ashburton, Timaru and Twizel to allow other Canterbury people to have their say.

Having considered all input to date, the review report recommends that the strategy should remain largely unchanged, confirming that it continues to provide the appropriate framework for the efficient and effective management of plant and animal pests in Canterbury.

Stephen Hall, Environment Canterbury programme manager pests and biodiversity, says that there has been a great deal of direct and implicit support for the strategy from the principal users of the strategy, namely the Pest Management Liaison Committees.

“The committees represent the rural ratepayers who work alongside Environment Canterbury biosecurity staff at the forefront of pest control under the strategy.”

“One significant change is proposed, with the recommendation that Chilean Needle Grass be included as a pest. This recognises the potential threat posed by this invasive grass in a region where agriculture makes the single largest contribution to the economy,” said Mr Hall.
There will be a full review of the strategy in 2014, including public consultation towards a 2015-2025 strategy, to replace the existing one.

A review report on the statutory mid-point review of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy 2005-2015 is now available at http://www.ecan.govt.nz/RPMSMid-PointReview.