1080 laid

Press, 13 August 1980, Page 16

1080 laid

Sir,—The Waimairi County Council has established, a free nursery on land between Gardiners Road and Johns Road. About two acres of the nursery is surrounded on the sides by a 6ft deernetting type fence; a stream is the remaining boundary. Oh July 17 the council had the Pest Destruction Board lay 1080 poison within this area. There is a lOin x Bin sign that says so on one of the gates. Presumably the intention was to rid the area of the rabbit or opossum that was damaging the young trees. I know the animal/ pest numbers are not high. Many children use that stream to fish, go eeling, paddle their canoes, etc. The surrounding fences for the more adventurous are quite easy to climb, and there is ready access along the stream by Gardiners Road. Why did the Pest Destruction Board use 1080 when a few strategically placed traps would have done, the job as effectively?—Yours, -etc., ‘JOHN TWEEDIE July 21, 1980.

[Mr D. B. Rich, chairman, Waimairi County'Council, re-, plies: “As other methods of pest control have, proved unsuccessful, 1080 baits were laid at the tree nursery with the knowledge of council.

staff. The nursery, as your correspondent' states, is fenced on three sides and the banks of the stream on the fourth side are steep, thus inhibiting access by children. The reduction of 1080 strength on the baits where they are laid in public places, and the requirement for uplifting baits within 48 hours, obviate any danger to humans. The use of animal traps is not considered humane, and therefore is undesirable. Finally, the field officer of the Pest Destruction Board considers that all required actions were taken in the interests of public safety.”]