An ‘Edible Pest’ Animal Council?
Wed, 23 Jun 2010 2:02 pm – Posted by Mandy | No Comments
Guest blogger: Forest & Bird’s conservation advocate Quentin Duthie
Forest & Bird is concerned about a proposed “Game Animal Council” that would take over management of four of the largest and most tasty pest animals in New Zealand - deer, pigs, thar and chamois.
Deer ravaged forest, photo courtesy of DOC
We think it’s essential that management of these pest animals and their impact on the ecology of our public conservation lands remain with the Department of Conservation.
Unfortunately the new proposal differs from a panel recommendation in 2008, that affirmed that conservation remains the priority.
Many groups have an interest in pest animal management - hunters, conservationists, tourists, farmers, you name it - and it is important that a government agency can manage the challenges of pest managment and the conflicts between stakeholders.