The Otago Fish and Game Council has declared a moratorium on
Canada geese management expenditure.
The move, instigated by Dan Rae at this week's council
meeting, was to stay in place until the Minister of
Conserv-ation made a decision on the geese's management.
"We should not spend any more money on them.
"He [the minister] has got to stop prevaricating."
A review of the wildlife schedules which defined the level of
protection of some species, including the Canada goose, began
in 2006.
Under the schedules, the Canada goose, which was introduced
in the early 1900s, was classified as a game bird.
As a result, Fish and Game councils were required to manage,
maintain and enhance the game resource in the recreational
interest of hunters and have regard to the impact on natural
resources of any management plan.
In 1995, the South Island Canada goose management plan came
into force.
Otago Fish and Game Council chief executive Niall Watson said
the management plan was only to have a "10-year horizon", so
it was well out of date.
Chairman John Barlow said the council did not want to further
antagonise high country farmers.
The council voted 5 to 3 in favour of Mr Rae's motion to
declare a moratorium.
Earlier this month, a spokeswoman for the Minister of
Conservation, Tim Groser, said a review of wildlife schedules
was still under consideration.
