Prosser Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeProsser Richard: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 August 2013. Volume:693;Page:13107. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.RICHARD PROSSER (NZ First) to theMinister of Conservation: Does he stand by all his statements regarding 1080?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Conservation): Yes as they are backed up by solid science. I draw the member’s attention to the recent reports by the Environmental Protection Authority and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that conclude that if it is properly used it is safe and that it is critical to the survival of our native birds and our native trees. Members advocating a ban on aerial 1080 are indirectly signing a death warrant for our kiwi our blue duck our robin and ourtūī as well as undermining our economy and the work ofTBfree New Zealand to ensure our food exports are disease-free.Richard Prosser: Given that the Department of Conservation’s own findings as reported in theNew Zealand Herald show that almost 13 percent of kea will be killedby repellent-treated 1080 baits is he happy that approximately 130 of the estimated 1000 kea in the area of the westernKahurangi which is to be poisoned by his department will be killed?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: It is true that in a 1080 operation inŌtira when they monitored the 39 kea five were killed. It is also true though that in over eight other 1080 operations where every kea was monitored including in theKahurangi National Park not a single kea died. The evidence seems to be that in areas where kea are humanly fed they can get into the habit of taking bait. More important though—and I point this out to the member—in areas where 1080 has not been used 99 percent of kea chicks die because of predation—99 percent. That is a path to extinction. In areas where 1080 is used 100 percent of kea chicks have survived in the first year and 68 percent in the second year confirming that overall kea survival depends on the use of 1080.Richard Prosser: Can he tell the House how many of the 13 percent of kea killed by repellent-treated 1080 died as a result of eating baits directly and how many died from secondary poisoning after consuming insects that had been killed by 1080; if not why not?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I can only record as much as the science that is available. It is true that there is risk of kea eating bait directly and a risk of kea eating stoats or rats that are killed. But I would point out to the member that in the area ofKahurangi National Park in the Nelson region where he is objecting to a 1080 operation the last time a 1080 operation was done not one of the monitored kea died. Secondly—and this is critical—we have just had a beech tree mast. The most recent indication is that we have got the worst ever plague of rats within theKahurangi National Park and unless we treat with 1080 the great spotted kiwi and birds like the kea and the blue duck will be wiped out.Richard Prosser: How many dead kea is an acceptable number of dead kea?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I would of course prefer that no kea died just as in the same way I would prefer that no stoats or rats or possums killed kea chicks or kiwi chicks. The reality is though that when the science says that 99 percent of chicks will die from predation without 1080 operations I am happy to be part of a Government that will back the science back our native birds and use whatever tools we need to ensure that our native birds survive.Richard Prosser: Is he aware that under the Wildlife Act 1953 the killing of any endangered or protected native bird is illegal; if so will his department face prosecution should it be found to have killed a protected native species by using 1080 poison drops; if not why not?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: That question is about as stupid as suggesting that we prosecute the stoats the rats and the possums that every single night kill our kea our kiwi and our other native birds. If that is what New Zealand First stands for well I am a bit lost.Richard Prosser: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question asked whether his department will face prosecution and the Minister did not answer that question.Mr SPEAKER: No but I think he gave you a very fair answer as to the likelihood of that happening.