Authority welcomes new research beingdone on 1080

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) welcomes progress being
made on further research into the effects of 1080 following its decision to allow continued aerial use
of the pesticide.
The Authority released its decision on the reassessment of 1080 in August, 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 watch list and better management practices. It also
called for further research to be done into alternative methods of possum control and certain
impacts of 1080.
The new management regime, which will be in place by 1 January 2008, will require users of 1080
to produce detailed reports for the Authority on each aerial drop carried out after that date,
including comments on any incidents and public complaints.
Authority Chair Neil Walter says the Authority has written to the government about its
recommendation that more research be done into 1080. “We have made it clear to the government
that we would like more research funding to be made available for research into the effects of 1080,
its persistence in water and soil and possible alternative ways of controlling possums.”
He says the Authority is encouraged by research work already being commissioned by one of the
country’s biggest users of 1080 – the Animal Health Board, whose brief is to combat the spread of
bovine tuberculosis. “This research addresses one of the 1080 reassessment committee’s key
concerns, which is the risks posed by 1080 to native plants valued by Māori such as watercress and
puha.”
Mr Walter says the board is helping Māori by actively taking the results of its research to Māori
communities.
The Authority is also making progress on appointing someone to coordinate the 1080 monitoring
and reporting regime. Applications for the position close on 17 October.
The Authority expects to release its first annual report on 1080 aerial drops around this time next
year. This first report is expected to focus on the implementation of the Authority’s research
recommendations.