Control measures are necessary

I was extremely disappointed to read the contribution written by Helena Howe, entitled 'Mynas are sign of change" (Peninsula News, June 23).

I believe that she is demonstrating an irresponsible attitude in her defence of the Indian Myna pest.

I imagine that she would adopt a similar stand in accepting that cane toads should also be allowed to continue their march from Queensland into the other states.

The Indian Myna causes problems to the environment in the way that it attacks our Australian native birds, destroying their nests and forcing our birds to leave their locations.

Further, the Indian Myna is a carrier of bird lice and is a bird that prefers to nest undercover in roofs of houses wherever possible, spreading lice in these areas.

I have first hand experience of this activity.

Although the bird can exist in small groups it also enjoys travelling in larger flocks throughout our state and possibly other states.

Although most of us are mindful of preserving nature wherever possible, some measures are necessary to control the spread of this vermin spreading bird, before it eliminates many of our Australian native bird species and we should not accept that their invasion and expansion is just "a sign of change".

Bill Dickson Ettalong