1080 Operations Safe And Effective

MEDIA RELEASE

1080 Operations Safe And Effective

The Pest Control Education Trust (PCET) today welcomed the release of ERMA's annual report which said that the benefits of 1080 use for pest control were being realised and risks minimised.

PCET supports the use of biodegradable 1080, under strict guidelines, as a critical tool in the battle to conserve New Zealand's native fauna and flora and to fight bovine TB.

PCET Trustee, Professor of Ecology and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research) from Victoria University Charles Daugherty said that strict management of 1080 operations is vitally important and that the ERMA report should give the public confidence that the critical role 1080 plays in pest control was being appropriately monitored.

"We have to decide between feeding our treasured native species to introduced pests - or killing the pests so our native species can survive. We have a responsibility to ensure the survival of our native species and that is being done. And it is being done safely," he said.

PCET Trustee and Federated Farmers General Manager Policy and Advocacy Mark Ross said that farmers would also welcome the report.

"1080 is very important in the fight against bovine TB, and I'm sure famers will be pleased to be assured that it is being applied safely and effectively," he said.

Forest & Bird Advocacy Manager and PCET Trustee Kevin Hackwell noted that stringent testing of 113 water samples had once again demonstrated no harmful levels of the pest control toxin.

"New Zealanders who value our natural environment can feel very confident that this important tool in our fight against destructive pests is being safely and responsibly managed," he said.

www.1080facts.co.nz

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