Possum funding review

Claims of massive cuts to possum control funding have been refuted by Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.

Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor is calling for the Minister to explain “the massive cut in funding for control of possums as TB vectors”.

“Bill English’s Budget has slashed this funding from $30 million to just $7 million from 2015/16.This will have a big impact on New Zealand’s reputation. Our ability to export into many markets depends on us keeping bovine TB at the lowest possible level possible,” says Damien.

“This cut to the funding puts our reputation and export sectors at real risk.It will also have a big impact on our environment and our native animals.

“Experience has shown that without on-going control, possum numbers will escalate quickly, as they are the main TB vector or carrier, and we will see bovine TB affecting more herds across New Zealand.”

However, Nathan says the Labour MP is “scaremongering about future Crown funding during consultation”.

“As a farmer and the Minister for Primary Industries I know how important it is to fund TB management programmes. “A funding review is underway to determine contributions from the Crown, regional councils and industry from 2015/16 onwards and no decisions have been made yet. “When final decisions have been made, they will be feed into the 2015 Budget process. "It’s important to note that MPI’s total funding has increased by $17.4 million in Budget 2014, which sees a strengthening of the biosecurity system. Biosecurity funding is up by $2.2 million and overall funding has doubled since 2000,” he says.


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