Union dismay over P.M.’s call

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 2

Union dismay over P.M.’s call

The Labourers’ Union is dismayed at the call by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, to rekindle debate over the introduction of myxomatosis to eradicate rabbits.

Mr Lange was reported in "The Press” yesterday as challenging runholders and the Agricultural Pest Destruction Council to press the debate over the introduction of the viral disease of rabbits, myxomatosis.

His challenge was prompted by a visit to the Mackenzie Country, where he saw land degradation caused by weeds and pests. Mr Lange was presented with strong arguments for the introduction of myxomatosis and saw the damage caused by rabbits in the high coun-

try. He later told a public meeting that the debate over the introduction of the virus was stalled and he promised to reinvigorate it.

There seemed to be a conspicuous lack of hard evidence against myxomatosis, he said, but he did not promise to support personally the introduction.

The union, which represents workers employed by the pest, destruction boards and is represented on the Pest Destruction Council, is opposed to the reintroduction of myxomatosis.

Its stance was supported by the environmental impact report presented to the Government during recent debate, said the union’s assistant national secretary, Mr

Barry Brown. Myxomatosis should no longer even be considered as a viable form of pest control, said Mr Brown. With sufficient staff the pest destruction boards could keep rabbit numbers under control by shooting or poisoning them. According to a recent report of the Pest Destruction Council, rabbits were only a problem in some peripheral areas such as the high country, totalling about 14,000 hectares, said Mr Brown. The problem was a lack of money and the consequent loss of staff. In the area visited by Mr Lange this week pest destruction staff numbers had dropped significantly over recent years, and in some areas, such as Pukaki, there were no staff. The Government was phasing out its subsidies to the Pest Destruction Council, even though most high-country land was Crown leasehold.

“As landlord, the Crown must accept some responsibility for keeping its properties vermin-free.”

Mr Brown said that pest destruction , board subsidies and controls were subject to a review at present, and he expected changes that would make them more cost effective.

“I don’t believe it is helpful for the Prime Minister to reactivate debate on myxomatosis until that review has been completed and promulgated by the appropriate Ministers,” Mr Brown said.