Government lacks cohesive plan on pest control

The closing of an important possum control research programme based at Invermay research station in Mosgiel is yet another step backwards for the protection of our native biodiversity and the control of tuberculosis (TB), the Green Party said today.

“The Invermay Research Station had identified 60 different possum-specific toxins—toxins that would kill possums but leave other animals unharmed—and was in the process of selecting the most effective ones for trial and use in the field,” said Mr Hague.

“After years of scientific research, the Government has closed the unit right on the point of delivering useful alternatives to 1080.”

Invermay is being closed due to a lack of funding for possum research which now falls outside its research mandate. There is a high risk following the closure that all the knowledge that has been developed is about to be lost as no other facility in the country has the possum husbandry expertise of Invermay.

“Changing the goalposts mid-way through a research programme is one way to guarantee a lack of a scientific breakthrough. We have to find a more mature approach to funding and coordinating research if it is to achieve its potential here in New Zealand,” said Mr Hague.

“The Government can save the work already done at Invermay if it moves quickly to ensure the work is continued by another Crown Research Institute, like Landcare Research.”

Mr Hague said that he had brought the plight of the programme to the attention of Ministers of Conservation, Agriculture, and the Prime Minister mid-way through November pointing out the urgency of taking action. Nothing had so far been done.

“This research programme is being axed at a time when the Government has just signed up to work with the Green Party on a strategy for alternative pest control initiatives. This positive step forward is undermined by the Government’s lack of a cohesive plan on pests.

“If John Key’s Government is seriously interested in finding alternatives to 1080, then the very first thing it needs to do is ensure the work of this programme is secured before it’s lost on the Eve of Christmas,” said Mr Hague.