Import permits for chinchillas stopped

Press, 25 October 1984, Page 2

Import permits for chinchillas stopped

PA Wellington Import permits for chincillas have been stopped while the Government carries out an environmental impact assessment on the import of the rodents. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, said yesterday that the environmental assessment would be done by. his Ministry, the Wildlife Division of the Internal Affairs Department, and the Commission for the Environment. It would be used to determine future policy on farming chinchillas. A small number of chincillas, prized for their fur, were imported earlier this year and are held on two properties. At the time they were imported there was criticism that consultation before the importation was inadequate.. It is believed by some that chinchillas have the potential to establish themselves in the wild in drier parts of New Zealand and become a pest. Mr Moyle said that no

further permits for importing chinchillas would be issued while the environmental assessment was being carried out. Animals already in New Zealand would be kept in secure- facilities under the strict management conditions which were set down in the import permits.