Minister to take Canada Goose Problems to Cabinet

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson spoke about Canada geese when addressing  High Country Federated Farmers today:

Canada Geese and pest management

Pest management is certainly a common interest. One issue I’m sure many of you are interested in is the control of Canada geese. The Wildlife Protection Review concluded (not unexpectedly) that this goose is a problem and isn’t being managed as effectively as we would like. Something you already knew.

I have spoken with Fish and Game and Federated Farmers to get their views on the current situation. It probably comes as no surprise that they have differing perspectives, as does DOC. Today provides me with an opportunity to air my own thoughts on the matter. No decision has been made at this point as the matter is yet to go before Cabinet, so your feedback will be helpful.

Currently Canada geese are listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act and are managed by Fish and Game. Farmers and any other property owners require the consent of game licence holders and have to pay to control the geese where required.

I don’t consider this requirement to be of much benefit. It creates friction between farmers and Fish and Game and generally results in frustration. A possible solution is to keep Canada geese in Schedule 1, but allow farmers to shoot them on or over their own property. Poison would not be allowed. Shooting only, with shotguns or rifles. It would not matter whether the goose was on the ground or in the air, but hunting could not be offered for reward.

Fish and Game would remain responsible for managing the overall population of Canada geese in New Zealand. They have made it clear that they want to retain this responsibility. As far as public land is concerned, their role will remain unchanged.

The proposed change is focused on private property and also aviation safety. It would allow farmers to take charge of troublesome geese on their own land, while freeing up Fish and Game to focus on managing these birds on public land and waterways. It makes sense that property owners are allowed to manage these geese when they are at those pest levels. I know they can be quite tricky to deal with, but a few shotgun rounds may dissuade them from settling on your land – but they may settle on your neighbour’s land. To classify them as a pest, however, would absolve Fish and Game of responsibility and potentially involve heaps of regional ratepayers’ funds with formulation of pest management strategies.

As I said, this proposal has not been taken to Cabinet, so your feedback would be appreciated.