1080 – the poison used to cull possums and other such invasive species – has been the subject of intensifying controversy, with multiple protests organised around the country against its use in aerial drops.
However, Dianne Brunton of Massey University says that not using the poison could spell disaster for native species, amongst them many of New Zealand’s birds, and that the use of 1080 was only part of the strategy against possums and other predators.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“Massey University associate professor Dianne Brunton says in conservation there are no silver bullets. She says 1080 is one tool among many in a very difficult fight against invasive pests and predators. Ms Brunton says the alternative of no control would be disastrous for our native species. She says stoats and other rodents would simply wipe out native birds, reptiles and invertebrates.
“Animal Health Board chief William McCook says people with concerns about their use, should be better informed. He believes there is a lot of scaremongering going in but there are good sources of information in among a lot of what he calls misinformation.”