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1080 report 'correct on the science'
1080 report 'correct on the science'
8 June
This morning, Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment Jan Wright released a report examining the use
of 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) for pest control in the
conservation estate.
The report canvasses existing scientific evidence and ultimately supports the use of the chemical as an effective measure to control rats, possums, stoats and other pests that threaten native species in New Zealand.
In an overview, the Commissioner states:
" It is my view based on careful analysis of the evidence that not only should the use of 1080 continue (including in aerial operations) to protect our forests, but that we should use more of it.
"It is seldom that I come to such a strong conclusion at the end of an investigation. But the possums, rats and stoats that have invaded our country will not leave of their own accord. Much of our identity as New Zealanders, along with the clean green brand with which we market our country to the world, is based on the ecosystems these pests are bent on destroying. We cannot allow our forests to die."
Read the PCE's full report.
The Science Media Centre
approached scientists in the areas of wildlife management,
ecology, and toxicology for their reaction to the
report. Professor Dave Kelly, Terrestrial ecologist,
University of Canterbury comments:
"In fact I have just returned from the Ornithological Society of NZ annual conference, and a number of papers there were completely consistent with the conclusion that 1080 is a vital management tool, without which a number of important native birds are doomed to rapid decline over most of the country.
"It seems to me there
are three main motivations among those objecting to 1080 -
fears that it is not safe, claims that it has negative
effects on native animals, and concern about its impacts on
game
animals (particularly deer). I think the fears about
its safety are simply not supported by the evidence, and the
PCE's report should help in that regard (in a logical world
the report would eliminate such fears). The PCE's report is
consistent with previous reviews on the same
topic.
"Claims that 1080 has negative effects on native
animals are basically incorrect - the net effect of recent
well-run operations is overwhelmingly positive, and as the
PCE report notes, there are
situations where there is no
practical alternative to 1080 for protecting native
wildlife.
"The issue around impacts on deer needs to be
dealt with by direct discussions with hunters, but is not
central to the conservation issue, given that only about
one-eighth of the conservation estate
currently gets
comprehensive pest control (as the PCE report shows),
leaving plenty of alternative areas for hunters to
use.
"In any case, the PCE's report is another welcome
careful review of the facts around this key tool for
conservation managers, and deserves to be widely read. I
hope its key recommendations are
implemented as all are
soundly based."
To read further comments from
scientists on the use of 1080 or access a background
briefing on research into alternatives to 1080 use, see the
Science Media Centre website. We will also update our
website with further comments from scientists as we receive
them.
ENDS
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
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