USE OF 1080 POISON

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 6

USE OF 1080 POISON

Views Of S.I. Rabbit Boards (From Our Ows* Reporter; TIMARU, July 6. A remit which suggested “that because of the adverse effects of certain poisons and the extremely dry conditions in some districts, rabbit boards be allowed to use their discretion in the choice of poisons,” was lost at the annual conference of the South Island Rabbit Boards' Association today. Mr W. J. Whelan (Buscot-South Canterbury) said that where boards were doing their job, they: should be left alone. “We take,exception to being total to use 1080 poison otherwise our grants will be stepped,” said Mr Whelan. “As long as we are making headway, we should be left alone. It is unfair to ask us to scatter 1080 willy nilly about the country. It should only be used when necessary,” he added. Mr D H. Cockburn (Te Anau) said 1080 was a great hardship to back-country runs. "Co-operative"

The chairman of the Rabbit Destruction Council (Mr G. B. Baker) said runholders had been very co-operative. “We are responsible to the State.” he said. “1080 is very much ahead of any other rabbit poison,” he added. “We admit that in some circumstances, it is necessary to leave the country for a longer period. However, 1080 remains more toxic than any other poison.” It was very important to Use the best poison to destroy the remaining rabbits, and millions of pounds had gone into Central Otago, the Waitaki Basin and the Mackenzie Country in the form of grants. Mr Baker said it had been proved in New Zealand that 1080 had never been inferior to arsenic and in many cases, had been proved superior. “We cannot recommend large sums of money by way of grants unless we are confident that the best methods for eradication are being employed as cheaply as possible.” he continued. “We must admit that 1080 is dangerous to dogs,” Mr Baker added. He recommended that dogs should be muzzled. A further remit, that if It Is not possible for the stock owner to hold his stock off a block for a period long enough for reasonable safety during poisoning operations, a board be empowered to exercise its discretion in respect of the type of poison to be used was carried.