16 October 2009
New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc (National Office) (NZDA) makes the following submission.
NZDA branches or individual members may also make submissions independently of this submission.
NZDA is the national body of recreational deerstalkers and other big game hunters. We have 53 branches and as well hunting member clubs throughout New Zealand. We have 7500 members, and have been actively advocating for recreational deerstalking and hunting, running hunter training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937. We maintain ethical standards for hunting. Further information is available on our website www.deerstalkers.org.nz
NZDA opposes the indiscriminate use of poisons and toxins in the environment, causing contamination of valuable food sources and endangering non target species.
NZDA opposes this operation for the following reasons:
1. The science that both Animal Health Board and Department of Conservation use has been found to be substandard in respect to comparable research internationally. This fact was quantified at the ERMA Review by Pat and Quinn Whiting-O’Keefe.
2. 1080 is a broad spectrum insecticide first registered as such in 1927. This application does not include an application to drop a broad spectrum insecticide. This property of 1080 was well researched by Mike Meads in 1994. It was concluded at that time that the level of insect mortality was an unacceptable threat to our biodiversity. It is noted that the research by Mike Meads was questioned by the Department of Conservation, who contracted further research for the sole reason of discrediting the Meads’ findings. The Meads’ findings are now heralded as cutting edge research, well based and proven.
3. Dropping this toxin into water is contrary to all instructions issued with the chemical. It is well recognised as being soluble in water. Dilution does not make this toxin safe. On the 24 May 2007, the Faeroes Statement was released. This is the collective result of research by 200 (two hundred) scientists worldwide. These scientists have confirmed that there are serious dangers resulting from exposure to very low doses of toxins. Lodovic et al proved this in 1994.
4. It is now understood that endocrine disruption happens at doses so low that they cannot be detected by current methods for detection of Compound 1080. A recently released study tells us that the sperm count for New Zealand males has dropped by 50% between the years 1987 and 2007. It is known that the NZ Forest Service carried out an extensive operation across the country in an attempt to reduce the excessive deer numbers in the late 1960s through to 1970. Much of these operations were carried out at application levels of 35 kg per ha using carrot baits with a toxic strength of 0.15% ww 1080. Much of this was over land forming catchments for urban and rural water supplies. It is undisputed fact that compound 1080 is a male reproductive toxin. One would have to ask if this drop in male fertility, which coincidently is restricted to New Zealand males only, is as a result of either personal exposure, or more to the point, maternal exposure during pregnancy. The timing of the drops and the corresponding drop in male fertility would lean towards the latter. With the study sampling being sourced from sperm banks, it leave one with the calculation that a male in the womb from 1970 on would fall into the age group of 18 or so years old and up at the time of the study data collection. It is a valid conclusion to suspect 1080 as a major contributor in the study results.
5. It is noted that there is no water sampling to be carried out. NZDA opposes this vigorously. It cannot be said that this process will not deliver any level of toxin to waterways or lake surface.
6. NZDA wishes to know why this very important requirement is not catered for in this application.
7. All operations of this nature i.e. indiscriminate distribution of toxins, lead to an extended period of exclusion for the purposes of taking animals for food. It is imperative to have suitable warning signs placed at entry points to Ferny Gair, in this instance, to prevent the poisoning of people and dogs. These signs need to remain in place until the danger has passed. It should be noted that a possum carcase can, and in fact has, remain toxic for 10 months.
8. NZDA wishes to know what, in the application is carried out to mitigate the killing of non target species; this includes Native Fauna, Flora and valuable introduced species valued for their food value. This includes the deer and pig populations.
9. NZDA wishes to have assurances that all sampling and testing is carried out by independent organisations.
10. NZDA wants to know why, in respect to water quality testing, that the regulations imposed by ERMA are not being implemented for this application.
11. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
12. NZDA asks to be heard in support of this submission.
Kind regards,
For New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association
Harvie Morrow,
South Island National Executive Member
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association