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Possum cull worries Greens
TASMANIAN possums must be killed and trapped humanly, the Tasmanian Greens have urged.
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Possum cull worries Greens
DAMIEN BROWN | August 26, 2010 12.01am
TASMANIAN possums that may soon feature on menus and fashion catwalks around the world must be killed and trapped in the most humane and sustainable way possible, the Tasmanian Greens have urged.
The Federal Government is considering a draft management plan for the commercial harvest and export of more than 100,000 Tasmanian brushtail possums.
The proposal has outraged animal rights groups, who say it is exploiting a native animal.
But it has been welcomed by farmers who are sick of possums destroying crops.
As well as using the skins for clothing and hats for a growing market in New Zealand, a market for possum meat has also emerged in China.
Greens Cabinet Secretary Cassy O’Connor yesterday called on Environment Minister David O’Byrne to ensure the final draft plan for the commercial harvest of possums addressed animal welfare concerns.
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