Richard Prosser MP

Spokesperson for Outdoor Recreation
28 JULY 2016

Minister Seriously Misleading Public Over 1080

Conservation Minister Maggie Barrie is totally ignoring the serious risks of using 1080 in her plan to make New Zealand predator free by 2050.

“She is so out of touch she once stated in Parliament that there is more 1080 in a cup of tea than in a poison bait which is totally absurd,” New Zealand First Spokesman for Outdoor Recreation Richard Prosser says.

“The fact is the World Health Organisation lists Compound 1080 as a Class 1 deadly poison and they don’t do that with tea.

“Her reckless approval of 1080 is unfortunately placing the health of New Zealanders, and dogs at serious risk.

“She claims:

1. ‘1080 breaks down in 48 hours, and keep dogs out of the 1080 areas for about 2 days.’

FACT: Dogs are susceptible to 1080. Her own department warns baits can remain dangerous for weeks and in poisoned carcasses for months.

2. ‘1080 is safe because it is ‘plant-based’.’

FACT: The only plant that has any connection with 1080 is the Tull Chemicals plant in Alabama. Compound 1080 is a synthetic toxin manufactured from Fluoroacetate which is plant based. They replicate/synthesise the plant toxin and add sodium to it to make 1080.

3. ‘1080 is safe because it is ‘water soluble’.’

FACT: Water solubility is what makes 1080 dangerous. It hastens the digestive uptake of the poison by birds and animals and other susceptible air-breathing species and allows the toxin to spread very fast in the environment. When added to water, the toxic fluoroacetate molecule remains intact. The manufacturer’s instructions specifically exclude the use of 1080 in or near waterways.

4. ‘There is more 1080 in a cup of tea.’

FACT: Fluoroacetate (not 1080) is in some teas, of which, depending on the tea, a person would have to drink between 800 and 5000 cups at one sitting to reach a dangerous dose level.

“All of this shows that if the minister and the government think it is right to tell New Zealand that 1080 is safe then they have no right to be running this country,” Mr Prosser says.

ENDS

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