‘Wild assertions’ rule in the world of 1080

THE letter by G. D. Taylor (ODT, 4.7.18) lacked factual content.

He/she was unable to explain what the ‘‘wild assertions’’ were that those opposed to 1080 use supposedly make.

The real facts behind the Government’s aerial 1080 operations are — 1080 kills our native falcon, kea, rock wren, fern birds, robins and other fauna.

There is also the high bykill death rate of farmed, other domestic, and wild animals.

I never believe Government, Ospri or Doc propaganda. It is created from spindoctored factoids, not real facts. Factoids create myths.

A perfect example of Ospri’s mythmaking was reported by The New Zealand Herald.

A July 25, 2016 Advertising Standards Authority decision ruled that a claim made by Ospri that possums were responsible for around half of new Tb infections in cattle and deer herds ‘‘was not supported by the evidence’’.

The authority also said ‘‘Ospri had not produced material to back up its claim, and ruled the advertisement breached the industry code of ethics requiring truthful presentation and social responsibility’’.

‘‘Wild assertions’’ fuel the Ospri and Doc 1080 poison industry ‘‘gravy train’’. Ron Eddy

Nelson