West Coast-Tasman Greens candidate vague on harvesting of pest animals

Andrew Beaumont, the Green Party's candidate for West Coast-Tasman, avoided a direct stance on whether his party would support harvesting pest animals such as goats and deer for food. During a candidate briefing for the West Coast Regional Council, Beaumont stated that the party would "follow evidence" when considering the proposal. The idea of harvesting pest animals for consumption has been raised in the West Coast region. Beaumont's response suggests the Green Party has not yet formed a definitive policy on the matter and is open to evaluating evidence before committing. The candidate's non-committal answer leaves the specifics of the party's position unclear, particularly concerning the practical implementation and potential ecological or economic impacts of such harvesting. The proposal itself, which includes animals like goats and deer, aims to address pest animal populations while potentially providing a food source. Beaumont's approach indicates a cautious, evidence-based consideration, aligning with the Green Party's general ethos, but offers little concrete information on their likely support for the initiative.

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follow evidence