The meeting was held in response to demands from protestors and deer hunters. The protesters called for a ban on the aerial dropping of 1080 anywhere near water catchments.

The Westland District Council earlier this year, voted to oppose aerial 1080 operations around drinking water catchments after submissions from opponents of the toxin.

Possums are the main carrier of bovine tuberculosis (TB) and the West Coast is home to about 48 per cent of the nation’s infected TB herd.

Federated Farmers West Coast provincial president Katie Milne said any ban on the use of 1080, which is the safest option for controlling the possum population, could have a drastic negative effect on possum and TB control along the West Coast.

“The decision to support pest control can, in part, be attributed to the pressure placed on councillors by the farming community. Farmers from as far away as the Buller district attended the meeting, signalling how important the pest management strategy is in combating the spread of TB,” Ms Milne said.

The Department of Conservation West Coast Conservator Mike Slater said 1080 is a vital weapon in DOC’s battle to protect the hard-to-reach forest canopies and bird populations that help draw tourists to the West Coast.

Mr Slater said extensive scientific evidence accepted by the Environmental Risk Management Authority 18 months ago showed it was safe to use 1080 around water catchments.

“1080 is biodegradable and DOC also takes great care with our 1080 operations to ensure strict buffer zones around waterways. All our operations are cleared by the appropriate medical authorities.”

“We do not use 1080 lightly – but it is the best tool we have in back country areas and without it we would lose vast tracts of healthy forests and species like mistletoe will disappear from the Coast.”