SPCA warns growers

Complaint indicates bird trap problem more widespread

The SPCA has put the wine industry "on notice" that they may prosecute if more nets that trap birds are found in vineyards.

The announcement comes after the SPCA's Marlborough branch received a complaint on Friday about a second vineyard, in Grovetown, which was trapping birds with a mist net.

The previous day Mills and Ford Rd grape grower Linton Harvey pulled down a mist net with dead birds in it after Marlborough man Andy Todd complained to the SPCA.

SPCA Marlborough branch chairman Alan Rector said the second complaint indicated that the problem could be bigger than first thought.

He had called New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan and put the industry on notice. "We'll be watching and listening and if we've got to prosecute to show this isn't on then we will."

In an email to growers, Mr Gregan said he had been advised by the SPCA that nets used as traps could be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

"The SPCA have indicated they will pursue legal remedies if necessary.

"We are not aware that this practice is common in vineyards but it is important that vineyard owners use nets only in accordance with relevant legislation and their intended use."

Nets could be used to stop birds entering the vine canopy so birds could not peck at the grapes by covering a vineyard or part of the vineyard with a net, draping nets over a vine row, or fixing nets to the sides of a row, Mr Gregan said.

Nets should not be used as a barrier to birds on boundaries.