1080 usage in New Zealand

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Warning sign for 1080 bait on the West Coast of New Zealand

The use of 1080 in New Zealand as a pesticide is a contentious issue, with the majority of the debate occurring between conservationists and hunters. Concerns are also raised about security of potable water supplies in areas where 1080 is applied.

Worldwide, New Zealand is the largest user of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate). 1080 is a commonly used pesticide since it is very effective on mammals and New Zealand has no native land mammals apart from two species of bat. The first trials were carried out in New Zealand in 1954, and by 1957 its use had become widespread. 1080 baits are used through ground based and aerial application to control possums (an animal pest introduced from Australia) and other introduced mammalian pests.[1]

New Zealand's unique fauna and flora are endangered by the rapid spread of possums, stoats and rats.[2] Also, the possum is a vector for tuberculosis so possum numbers are controlled to prevent its spread amongst cattle and deer herds. As the possum is from the eastern states of Australia and is a mainly arboreal forager, it has never developed a resistance to sodium fluoroacetate.[citation needed]

While the Department of Conservation and the Animal Health Board [3] favour the effectiveness of aerial 1080 application,[4] critics of the application of 1080 claim: “agencies increasingly use large scale aerial applications to cut costs".[citation needed] Opposition from hunting groups and threats by other opponents have made local agencies responsible for the use of the poison hire guards to protect their staff.[5] Forest and Bird, the largest conservation organisation in New Zealand, advocate the use of 1080 for controlling all mammalian pests.[6]

The Environmental Risk Management Authority in August 2007 released its latest review of 1080 use. The review gives new guidelines for the use of the pesticide in New Zealand and concludes that the beneficial effects of pest eradication outweigh the risks.[7]

A positive side effect of aerial poisoning is a temporary drop in rat numbers which, however, recover due to the niche created by low possum numbers.[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Beasley, Michael (August 2002). "Guidelines for the safe use of sodium fluoroacetate (1080)". New Zealand Occupational Safety & Health Service. http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/pdf/1080guidelines.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. 
  2. ^ "Possum Control - Facts About 1080". New Zealand Department of Conservation. 2001. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/MultiPageDocumentTOC.aspx?id=39966. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. 
  3. ^ Animal Health Board Types of Control Programmes
  4. ^ Green, Wren (July 2004). "The use of 1080 for pest control". New Zealand Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/use-of-1080-04.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. 
  5. ^ Govt sticks with 1080 despite staff fears - The New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 05 August 2008
  6. ^ Forest and Bird. "Protecting native forests with 1080". Forest and Bird. http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/threats-and-impacts-/protecting-native-forests-1080. Retrieved on 2008-10-22. 
  7. ^ "Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision on 1080". ERMA New Zealand. August 2007. http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/news-events/1080/Decision%20_2007.08.10_%20FINAL.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-12-17. 

[edit] External links

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