Farmers back pest war
A multimillion-dollar boost for Taranaki’s war on pests is ‘‘amazing news’’ for farmers, Taranaki Federated Farmers president Donald McIntyre says.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage last week announced the Government would put $11.7 million towards Taranaki Taku Turanga – Our Place, Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki.
The project will cost $47 million in the first five years with the ultimate aim of removing stoats, rats, and possums from all land types across the region – farmland, urban land, public parks, reserves and Mt Taranaki – by 2050.
McIntyre welcomed the funding news, saying farmers knew from personal experience that predator control was an ongoing battle.
‘‘[It’s] a key part of their drive to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity on farm,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m sure there is significant appetite in the farming community to work with other agencies to do even more.’’
Taranaki farmers had been working with the regional council on the Self Help Possum Control programme for more than twenty years and were involved in wider efforts to be the first predator-free region, McIntyre said.
‘‘We’re right on board with this vision.’’ The project would use equipment including remote sensors, wireless nodes and a trapping app to remove predators and prevent re-infestations.
‘Taranaki has unique advantages that can make it the first region in the country to remove introduced predators,’’ Taranaki Regional Council chairman David MacLeod said.
‘‘Its relatively compact geography, its regional and national expertise in biodiversity and predator control, and strong community collaboration and enthusiasm at all levels.’’
Taranaki Taku Turanga is the first large-scale project to receive funding from Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the company set up by the Government in 2016 to help New Zealand achieve its predator-fee 2050 goal. Predator Free 2050 Ltd chief executive Ed Chignell was excited about the opportunities to improve national predator control work using lessons learnt from Taranaki.
‘‘This exciting project is uniting a community against predators, using traditional and new methods to remove possums, rats and stoats from the region,’’ he said.