Authority starts work on new 1080 management regime

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has begun setting up the new management regime for the pesticide 1080.

The Authority released its decision on the reassessment of 1080 a month ago, confirming the value of 1080 in the fight against possums, but indicating that significant improvements are needed in using the poison. The Authority imposed tighter mandatory controls on users, including active monitoring of aerial operations by means of a watchlist and better management practices. It is also pushing for further research to be done into alternative methods of possum control and certain impacts of 1080.

Authority Chair Neil Walter says the new management regime will be in place by 1 January 2008. “Users of 1080 will have to produce detailed reports for the Authority on each aerial drop carried out after this date, including comments on any incidents and complaints received from the public. The Authority will also be inviting the public to submit reports on any incidents or problems.”

Mr Walter says the first step is to appoint someone to coordinate the new regime. “This involves tracking research being done on 1080, closely monitoring the aerial drops, overseeing the implementation of the Authority’s recommendations on best practice procedures for managing 1080 operations and receiving and following up any complaints from the public.”

Mr Walter says although users of 1080 do not have to report on aerial operations until after 1 January there will still be plenty for the coordinator to do in the interim. “There is a lot of technical work to be done in setting up the watchlist. Following up on the Authority’s best practice and research recommendations is also an important task for the 1080 coordinator.”

Since the release of the 1080 decision, ERMA New Zealand has begun publicising the new controls and best practice recommendations to relevant industry groups such as the National Possum Control Association and test certifiers (experts who ensure that operators are qualified to handle a hazardous substance).

Mr Walter says the first annual report on 1080 aerial drops is due to be released by the Authority around the middle of next year. This is likely to focus on the implementation of the Authority’s recommendations on research rather than on aerial drops because aerial operations generally do not start until around August of each year.