Kim Booth, Press Release
Greens Shadow Primary Industries spokesperson, Kim Booth MHA, said that it was outrageous and totally unacceptable that Gunns continued to carry out such obnoxious behaviour within the proximity of Western Creek residents.
Kim Booth
Saturday, 10 June 2006
WESTERN CREEK FAMILIES LIVE IN FEAR
As Smoke And 1080 Poison Threats Continue
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the government to act immediately to stop threatened 1080 poisoning of a Gunn’s plantation in the Western Creek area, following complaints from local residents.
Willow Farm owners, Chris and Jennifer Gregory, have been subjected first to choking clouds of carcinogenic smoke from a plantation establishment burn off and now they are threatened with the spectre of 1080 poisoning of native animals to “protect “ plantation seedlings.
Greens Shadow Primary Industries spokesperson, Kim Booth MHA, said that it was outrageous and totally unacceptable that Gunns continued to carry out such obnoxious behaviour within the proximity of Western Creek residents.
“The people of Western Creek have already stood up against 1080 use in their area, they have said they want alternative browsing control methods used, and it is totally arrogant of both the government and Gunn’s to continue with the practice,” Mr booth said.
“I am calling on the Minister to withdraw the permit for the use of 1080 on this site and to investigate whether the permit has been granted in accordance with the 1080 Code of Practice.”
“I am requesting an investigation as to whether alternative measures have been properly carried out or whether this is just the new face of forestry where dollars saved for big companies will be placed before the health and safety of our community.”
“Willow Farm has been advised to muzzle their dogs to prevent them eating a poisoned native animal that runs onto their property in its death agony, advice which does little to reassure people and a lot to confirm their right to request alternative methods are used.”
“What right has anyone to knowingly allow a poisoned bait to be deposited randomly on another person’s land and then instruct the owner to muzzle their animals or face losing them to a slow cruel and agonising death?”
“The government must protect the residents from the reign of terror that local people feel under, due to government rules that allow burn offs and poisoning apparently without any real means of appeal and common law protection,” said Mr Booth.
