Trout in 1080 areas safe to eat: Report

Early results from the trials indicated that trout force-fed high doses of 1080 did take up low levels of toxin, which broke down over time.

An initial assessment by the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) indicating trout caught from areas after 1080 pest control operations do not pose a food safety risk to anglers has been welcomed by the Department of Conservation (DoC).

DoC had asked independent researchers at the Cawthron Institute to investigate concerns raised by some anglers that humans could be at risk from trout consuming mice containing 1080.https://zen.nzherald.co.nz/

The institute carried out laboratory trials involving force feeding trout in tanks with extreme levels of 1080 in an attempt to model the effect on the fish.

Early results from the trials indicated that trout force-fed high doses of 1080 did take up low levels of toxin, which broke down over time.

DoC referred those results to the MPI for an evaluation of the food safety aspects.

The MPI report finds the peak levels temporarily reached within the force-fed trout fell well short of breaching internationally accepted standards for human health.

The report also indicates that the peak levels detected in the trout are a "gross overestimate" of any likely residue to be found in wild trout.

DoC director-general Lou Sanson said he welcomes the report's summary which "strongly indicates the consumption of wild caught trout from areas that have had 1080 applied will not pose a food safety risk to humans.

"We will continue to work with Fish and Game to provide detailed information to anglers on the outcome of the laboratory trials and about up-coming 1080 operations."

"But this initial assessment by MPI should reassure anglers that the trout they catch are safe to eat."