Aerial 1080 poisoning in New Zealand: Reasons for concern
Abstract
Reasons to be concerned about the widespread use of aerially distributed food baits containing 1080 poison (sodium monofluoroacetate) for pest control in New Zealand are evident in scientific publications and government reviews and reports.
Many hazardous properties and a lack of scientific knowledge of the effects of 1080 were described in a comprehensive report by the Environmental Risk Management Authority in 2007.
These findings are presented followed by examination of evidence of problems with aerial 1080 use:
1) Increased pest impacts following poisoning due to competitive release of rats and mice, and prey-switching by predators;
2) Reduced efficacy with repeated poisoning of rats;
3) Deaths of native birds;
4) Lack of scientific justification and monitoring of aerial 1080 use.
It is concluded that there is an urgent need to bring scientific methodology into pest management.
