More than half of these herds are on the West Coast, an area that is uniquely vulnerable to transmission of TB from possums to cattle. This year, 1080 operations were critical to containing a TB outbreak in the Rakaia headwaters, with farms in this area now confirmed clear of TB.
The Department of Conservation extensively uses 1080 and its use is strongly supported by Forest and Bird, with appropriate rates and practices to protect non-target species.
The plague of mice from the beech forest mast this year around some South Island untreated areas, such as Arthurs Pass, is a strong indication of how necessary and valuable 1080 has been in keeping pests at bay elsewhere.
It would be great to have an alternative option to using 1080, but other poisons do not work as well, are not as safe, or are impractical to apply from the air.
1080 breaks down very quickly in water and does not create an issue for water supplies or aquatic life. The Strategy and Policy Committee of the Auckland Council recently approved, by a councillor vote of 17 to two, the use of 1080 in the Hunua Ranges -- a source of drinking water for Auckland.
Logically if there were a safer, more effective poison than 1080, we would be using that substance instead.
Trapping and shooting are alternative tools, but the massive areas involved and often rough country, mean that these are not practical or affordable as a primary control. The other critical tool in the TB-control toolbox is traceability.
Compulsory recording of cattle and deer movements has been an effective way to reduce the incidence of the disease. Federated Farmers takes a dim view of those who flout movement rules as it adds to the control cost putting the whole industry at risk.
Some oppose the use of 1080 because it can poison dogs or reduce deer populations.
Dogs are excluded from areas where 1080 has been recently laid and any dog which eats a 1080 poisoned carcass should be given an antidote within a few hours. In the right dose, 1080 is lethal to deer, but modern application rates and delivery systems are more targeted to pests and reduce the impact on non-target species.
Those involved in discussions on 1080 are often very passionate about what they believe, however it is essential that discussion is undertaken respectfully with reasons well thought out and clearly expressed.
In my opinion, the 1080 debate is about what is right, and there are divergent views as to what this is. It is disappointing and unnecessary for this discussion to create divisions in society, or to cause people to no longer associate with those who hold a different view to them.
The world is too complex and contains too many risks for us to allow this to happen.
