Forest and Bird warmly welcomed the ban on the sale, distribution and breeding of ferrets announced by the Minister of Conservation today.

Forest and Bird's Senior Researcher Barry Weeber said that a ban on the sale, distribution and breeding of ferrets is necessary because of their impacts on wildlife and their transmission of disease.

"Ferrets are vicious predators of ground-dwelling native bird species including kiwi, weka, dotterels and penguins. They can also transmit Tuberculosis to cattle and spread the human influenza virus."

Mr Weeber said that unlike stoats and weasels, ferrets are capable of killing adult kiwi. "The survival of kiwi on the mainland is in grave doubt, Forest and Bird is pleased that the Government has chosen the kiwi over the ferret."

"Ferrets also engage in 'spree killing', where they slaughter more prey than they can eat at one time."

Mr Weeber said the Minister received resounding support for a complete ban on ferrets as pets in submissions on the discussion paper released in 1999.

"Conservationists, farmers, regional councils and the general public were united in their concern over the environmental and economic damage escaped pet ferrets can cause."

"Over one thousand submissions were received on the discussion document. About 77% percent of all submissions received from individuals requested a total ban on the keeping of ferrets by anyone in New Zealand, a view supported by Forest and Bird."

Mr Weeber said this decision will help support regional councils who are seeking to ban pet ferrets. Many Regional Pest Management Strategies are currently up for review.

"The recent ferret scare on Great Barrier Island in January provides support for a ban."