Summary
A total of 185 individuals, organisations and others responded to the call for submissions.
The analysis is divided into the following sections:
- Overview
- An overview of the contributions provided by all who responded, including those who chose to go outside the scope and directions of the discussion document.
- Detailed analysis of the identified issues
- Detailed analysis of the contributions received within the timeframe specified. This follows the framework of Issues and Options used in the form of submission provided for the purpose.
- Issues and options summary
- Responses from 12 national organisations
- General
- Consistent themes
Preface
Deer are now well established in New Zealand; on deer farms, within safari parks, and in the wild over much of mainland New Zealand. However, there are very good reasons, on ecological grounds, in the interests of animal health, and for the protection of New Zealand's meat exporting industry, to ensure deer farming is carefully managed by all parties involved to minimise the risk and incidence of deer escaping to form wild populations. There is a particular priority to prevent deer from expanding their range in the wild, or becoming established in those parts of New Zealand where they currently are not.
Over the past two years the Department has been developing options with the aim of achieving this. The Department has focussed on developing an improved set of specifications which would govern the keeping of deer in captivity. The work has been assisted by widespread discussion with key stakeholders.
[Extract from public discussion document - June 2005]
The Department of Conservation has the legal responsibility for managing certain aspects of deer farming in New Zealand and on 1 July 2005 it released a public discussion document outlining a range of options for the future management of deer farming. Submissions were invited from key stakeholders and the public, with a period of 12 weeks being allowed for responding - in the words of the Discussion document "so as to be received by the Department no later than 4.00pm on 23rd September 2005."
In September 2005 the Department commissioned the writer to undertake an analysis of the submissions received by the Department. The writer was briefed on the nature of the current process and provided with copies of the Public Discussion Document, including the form of submission that respondents were asked to use. Copies of the relevant sections of the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, the Noxious Animals in Captivity Regulations 1969 and Deer Farming Notice No 4. 1986 were also provided. Access was given to all submissions and other forms of response the Department received, and to the notes from the hearings held during October and November 2005.
This analysis has been prepared as a statement of fact about the contributions of those who responded to the invitation to provide a submission. No attempt has been made to interpret the information or draw any inference from these contributions. It is the Department's role to determine its own response to the submissions and its future course of action in terms of the legislation it administers.
However, to aid future considerations, a general section on consistent themes has been included at the end of the document. The writer suggests these might well provide a focus for consideration, as further discussions ensue within the Department and with stakeholders in the drive to develop an appropriate regime for the future management of deer in this country.
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