Illegal and deadly fruit tree netting

[tumblong2]

Under provisions introduced to Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations any netting used to protect household fruit trees, vegetable gardens or other fruiting plants must have a mesh size no greater than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in a fine under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019. The fine for using fruit netting that does not this specification will be $3303, and $660 for advertising or offering it for sale for household fruiting plants.

There are currently many eBay sellers providing large aperture mesh anti-bird fruit tree netting to Australian buyers. Netting with a large mesh size is more likely to entangle birds, possums or flying foxes. Their subsequent struggle to free themselves causes deep cuts and strangulation, leading to death of wildlife around the world.

How does eBay intend to meet its moral, ethical and legal obligations to restrict the sale of dangerous fruit netting to meet these legislative requirements?

Kind regards,
Jen

[tumblong2]

Hello Padi, thank you for your reply.

Your reference to being condescending is exceptionally hypocritical given the attacking and condescending tone of your initial response, which was completely devoid of constructive comment. To then suggest that any issue is one-dimensional and attempt to side track discussion with a transparent and weak strawman reveals your intentions. As fun as it is to occasionally dance down the rabbit-hole of semantics, I will leave you to guard your bridge.

Have a lovely day.

[lyndal1838]

Bird netting in one Australian state is a different thing to the Hendra virus which was Australia wide.....they really cannot be compared.

[padi*0409]

My original post came after 8 members had questioned the veracity of your original post, I'll just leave it at that.

Many new members (and sometimes semi-experienced members) come to the boards and when their original post is questioned they will bring up other theories to try to justify their cause, just as you have done.

I wonder, have you ever owned an orchard and seen what damage fruitbats are capaple of?

It can be, and is, heartbreaking to orchardists. There does need in some circumstances control of them be it by shooting or netting (which is the most effective). Bear in mind other methods of control are simply proven to be non-effective eg strobelights, sounds such as bells etc, and scareguns.

[4channel]

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@tumblong2 wrote:

Hello imastawka, thank you for your reply.

This issue is in fact a public health matter, just as Hendra virus was. Fruit netting is the leading cause of flying fox deaths in Victoria, making this a public health issue. In Australia megabats can carry dangerous viruses such as lyssavirus, and homeowners risk tranmission if bitten or scratched when trying to remove a flying fox entangled in fruit netting. This is an issue in every state in Australia, except Tasmania.

It well might be that eBay does not intend to get involved, hence the post, but if it is not an issue that interests you, then there is no need for you to spend any energy on this discussion.

Stay safe

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Excellent points raised there tumblong2. Native wildlife benefit as well as people safety-wise when an intelligent approach is used. As I said, this thread will motivate me in any purchase I make with netting to protect the fruit trees when they come of age.

If I ever decide to sell here again, i will be mindful about what I sell.

[davewil1964]

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@4channel wrote:

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@tumblong2 wrote:

Hello imastawka, thank you for your reply.

This issue is in fact a public health matter, just as Hendra virus was. Fruit netting is the leading cause of flying fox deaths in Victoria, making this a public health issue. In Australia megabats can carry dangerous viruses such as lyssavirus, and homeowners risk tranmission if bitten or scratched when trying to remove a flying fox entangled in fruit netting. This is an issue in every state in Australia, except Tasmania.

It well might be that eBay does not intend to get involved, hence the post, but if it is not an issue that interests you, then there is no need for you to spend any energy on this discussion.

Stay safe

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Excellent points raised there tumblong2. Native wildlife benefit as well as people safety-wise when an intelligent approach is used. As I said, this thread will motivate me in any purchase I make with netting to protect the fruit trees when they come of age.

If I ever decide to sell here again, i will be mindful about what I sell.

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When will you be selling nets? When will you determine they are legal to sell in your State, or which States they are legal to sell to?

Obfuscation disguised as concern.

[katistrophik]

God, 'passive, aggressive covering diatribe with a polite Have a Lovely day posters' p!ss me off

[davewil1964]

That's what he does

[4channel]

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@davewil1964 wrote

When will you be selling nets? When will you determine they are legal to sell in your State, or which States they are legal to sell to?

Obfuscation disguised as concern.

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I didn't say that I would be selling nets No sir! . Believe it or not though, I have some volleyball nets tucked away in a shed.They're nylon type.

When I do start selling one day, I'll be trying my best to sell things that will last for a very long time and will cause the least harm to the environment or its inhabitants. Her introductory post  is one that has made me think deeper. I admired tumbllong2 for her concern about the environment. I try to have that same ethic myself. I feel though that I'll have to lift my game to be as passionate as her!. She makes a lot of sense on this thread and I will say that I'm very impressed. If everyone had this concern then the world would be a much better place. I've seen people picking up plastic drinking straws and thought "That's cool".

Well, you know  eBay may not directly review its policy by what has taken place with this discussion or others similar. However great ideas and implementations often start off in discussions.

[katistrophik]

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@davewil1964 wrote:

That's what he does

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Agreed, but I was actually referring to the sugar [not so sweet] OP

[padi*0409]

Kat, for me it was the misinformation that was troubling me.

Firstly the OP was intimating that the policy was already operative, in fact it was discussed back in October/November last year for rolling out in September this year.

Secondly there's no easy way for eBay to police where the sales go if the restriction isn't Australia-wide and if the policy becomes law.

Then the OP brings in the Lyssavirus theory of theirs which has no bearing on the original post. The chances of someone contracting Lyssavirus/Hendra from fruitbats in netting would I imagine be far less than contracting it in a different way, possibly from fruit that the fruitbats have contaminated if they had contact with the fruit.

Ah well, 4chan is waving the flag for the OP.

I will point out that I have no issues at all with the proposed legislation, in fact I'm in favour of it. My issues are with misinformation and then additional information that's irrelevant to the original post - as we've seen done by other members in other posts.