4. GORDON COPELAND (Independent) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Is he satisfied with his ministry’s monitoring of Crown agencies and departments in relation to the protection of New Zealand’s clean, green environment?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Associate Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Yes. The Government is committed to enhancing, promoting, and protecting our clean, green image, and on behalf of the Minister I can express confidence in the Ministry for the Environment and its monitoring process.
Is the Minister aware that it is a legal requirement that signs must be erected at every point of entry where 1080 poison pellets are dropped, warning campers and hunters to take their own water into the forest with them as a precaution against drinking from streams contaminated by 1080 poison pellets, but that the Department of Conservation habitually drops 1080 poison from the air without erecting such signs, in breach of the law?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
I recognise that that is a concern. However, that question is best asked of the Minister of Conservation.
Is the Minister aware that the Environmental Risk Management Authority has so far indicated that it does not intend to test watercress for 1080 poison residue, in spite of the fact that the documentary A Shadow of Doubt, whichis to be screened on Māori Television on 14 July, suggests a possible link between those residues and negative health outcomes amongst Māori?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
That matter is currently being considered by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. At the moment the process used to consider the reassessment of 1080 poison includes 150 written submissions, 200 oral submissions in seven places, and 10 days of public hearings. As that matter is currently being considered, I am unable to comment on the content of those considerations.
Does the Minister intend to insist that in carrying out its reassessment of 1080 poison, the Environmental Risk Management Authority will ensure that full independent peer review studies are done to look into the effect of sub-lethal doses of 1080 on all living creatures in the environment, as outlined in the New Zealand Herald article yesterday that stated: “most native species are completed unstudied. … considerable evidence shows there are chronic and sublethal effects to vertebrate endocrine and reproductive systems, possibly including those of humans.”?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
Although I continue to acknowledge the concerns raised with regard to 1080 poison, the process undertaken by the Environmental Risk Management Authority is an independent one, and once that report is presented to the Minister those matters will be considered.
I seek the leave of the House to table three documents. The first is the labelling on 1080 poison containers, which states: “Danger, deadly poison”.
Madam SPEAKERThe second is a photograph of a sign erected by the Greater Wellington Regional Council, advising trampers to take their own personal water into the bush and not to take water from bush streams for consumption.
Leave is sought to table that sign. Is there any objection? There is objection? There is no objection.
Hon George HawkinsThe third document is a copy of yesterday’s New Zealand Herald article entitled: “Poison facts belie the claims”.