News -

Grubby goose in line of fire

Federated Farmers welcomes the Minister of Conservation, the Hon Kate Wilkinson's, announcement that Government is looking at specific options regarding the management of Canada Geese.

"What the Minister seeks is feedback on either removing protection for Geese by placing them on Schedule 5, or leaving them on Schedule 1, but allowing landowners to shoot Geese without having to consult Fish & Game," says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers game and pest management spokesperson.

"This announcement means that at the very least, farmers will have an important property right returned to them. That right being the right to protect oneself from the ravages of grubby geese. At present, if farmers want to defend themselves they have to ring Fish & Game, who send a bird scarer or possibly hunters to help out.

"Canada Geese cause a raft of problems for New Zealand farmers. They consume large amounts of grass and crops, including winter feed crops for stock, like turnips and swedes. They also foul pasture with their droppings, causing stock to refuse grass in those areas.

"Last year in Central Otago more than 60 ewes died from campylobacter and according to the local vet, this was clearly due to Canada Geese accessing the pasture on which the sheep were grazing. These geese not only caused the sheep deaths, but left many orphaned lambs behind.

"Unfortunately, I anticipate the problem of Canada Geese in the North Island may prove to be an even greater issue than what we have experienced for many years in the South. This is due to the availability of feed and nature of topography.

"I'm glad that the Minister has signalled she does not wish to let Fish & Game off the hook by simply passing the problem to farmers and Federated Farmers will try to ensure this doesn't happen by closely assessing both the options.

I look forward to hearing the result of the final Cabinet decision, hoping it will come sooner, rather than later," Mr Aubrey concluded.