24 NOVEMBER 2015

Challenge to Prove Safety of 1080 in Waterways

Government agencies claiming 1080 found in waterways and creeks poses ‘no risk’ should prove it by eating the whitebait people have been forced to throw away, says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Outdoor Recreation Richard Prosser.

The challenge comes after KiwiRail workers discovered more than one hundred 1080 poison baits in Kapitea creek at Kumara following an aerial 1080 drop last week. Others are too afraid to eat whitebait from the creek.

“Resource consent for OSPRI’s poison drop was approved by Westland Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Health. Surely then, they should be willing to prove the safety of 1080-contaminated water by eating the whitebait and fish from the creek and nearby streams.

“Dumping 1080 poison from the sky has left some household water supplies contaminated. The rules to avoid waterways are not being taken seriously. The rule makers must explain to the public why they’re not worried about baits ending up in creeks that supply drinking water.

“The manufacturers of 1080 have specific instructions stating it should not be used in or near waterways,” says Mr Prosser.

ENDS

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