14. Use of the Rural Environment Volume One main responsibility for dealing with incursions of unwanted organisms or pests entering New Zealand at its borders. The Council’s role to date has been to support the Ministry in trying to contain these incursions where they do occur, including inspections and providing information and advice to the public. At times the Ministry for Primary Industries may implement national pest management strategies to deal with incursions of unwanted organisms, which the Council may help to implement at a local level. [D] Policy 14.2.2 – A strategic approach will be developed and maintained to manage the containment/eradication of pests impacting on Marlborough’s primary production sector in rural environments. The wide range of pest species present in Marlborough and their location, characteristics and spread means that a range of responses is necessary to deal with them. This may be through rules in the Council’s regional pest management plan, national pest management strategies, provision of information and advice to landowners, consent holders and the public, biological and physical control, monitoring and surveillance. Rules have also been included within the MEP to enable the application of chemicals, poisons and hazardous substances needed to control plant and animal pests. It is important to acknowledge that landowners (including statutory organisations) have a significant responsibility for controlling and managing pest animals and plants on their land. Often resources (technological or financial) do not exist to effectively manage pests across the entire District. In each case of incursion, the most effective and efficient approach will be used to target pests where containment or eradication are possible. This approach will rely on strong partnerships with landowners. [D] Policy 14.2.3 – Raising community awareness that all individuals have responsibilities in pest management, particularly land occupiers. The Council recognises the advantages of a strong advisory and educational role in pest management. It therefore takes an active role in providing information and advice on the best methods for controlling plant and animal pests and creating a greater understanding and acceptance by land occupiers of the responsibilities of pest management. Raising awareness also extends to recreationalists, such as fishermen who need to ensure they do not transport pests from one river to another or from region to region. [D] Policy 14.2.4 – Recognise subdivision of land and more intensive development of rural areas increases the potential to spread pests and the M arlborough District Council will use a range of methods to reduce the risk of spread, inclu ding: (a) where resource consent is required for subdivision or development, consideration will be given to measures to reduce the risk of spread; (b) undertaking greater monitoring and surveillance of pests within areas where pests are present; (c) being proactive in coordinating the various groups involved with earth moving equipment to develop protocols and practices to assist with the reduction in the spread of plant pests; and (d) providing information for new rural landowners and people subdividing rural property about their responsibilities in pest management, including whether landowners have obligations for their property under regional or national pest management plans. With peoples’ greater desire to live in rural areas and the increased development activities that involve earth moving equipment, there is a risk of pests being spread from property to property. The matters in (a) to (c) of this policy will help to address the risk from the spread of pests 14 – 6