Evidence of breaches of the HZNO Act in the 2007 reassessment of 1080 poison

Abstract

Under New Zealand’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act (1996), the major aerial spreaders of sodium monofluoroacetate (“1080” poison) (the Animal Health Board and the Department of Conservation) were required to apply to the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), for permission to continue. In 2007 ERMA released its decision to allow continued, increased poisoning.

It appears the way the information on 1080 poison was gathered and handled by ERMA did not always comply with the HSNO Act. Examples are presented below within nine categories: 1) Lack of verification/Reliable information, 2) Lack of information, 3) Failure of Applicant to supply additional information, 4) Lack of objectivity, 5) Failure to use expert consultants’ advice, 6) Failure to use expert review, 7) Failure of Applicants to consult Māori, 8) Uncontrollable spread, 9) Failure to respond to qualified scientific criticism.