The reintroduction of 1080 poison into the Tasmanian landscape will damage the state’s clean, green brand, and reopen division within the community, warned Greens Leader Kim Booth MP.
“Overturning the phase-out ban on 1080 which was scheduled to be in place by next year, is an extraordinary, unnecessary and regressive back to the future move by the Hodgman Liberal government,” Mr Booth said.
“Resorting to 1080 poison is the cheapest, nastiest and cruel way to prevent browsing by native animals.”
“The community stood up against 1080 poison during the Tasmania Together process, we’ve had millions of public dollars invested in reviews which recommended alternatives be developed, which is still the only viable and appropriate way forward.”
“Tasmanians stated clearly then that it is unacceptable to indiscriminantely poison animals.”
“As research shows, it is domestic dogs which form the largest number of victims when 1080 baits are laid.
“Dragging the state backwards with the use of controversial indiscriminant poisoning programs will damage our clean, green brand and access to national and international food produce markets.
“Reintroducing 1080 poison into forestry practices will also mean the death-knell for Forestry Tasmania’s attempts to achieve Forest stewardship Certification.”
“This just smacks of a knee-jerk reaction by the Liberals giving something back to a small but loud group of their supporters for helping tear down the previous government.”
“It is unnecessary, dangerous and will ultimately be counter-productive.”
“Are the Liberals so out of touch that they have already forgotten the decades of community angst and public protest against images of our native animals dying an agonising death, as well as the outrage from people watching their pet dogs die the same way?
“The Greens urge the Liberal government to rethink this damaging and dangerous out of date step,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
