Submissions have closed on an application to ERMA New Zealand to reassess the use of the pesticide 1080.

ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Forlong said by close of play on 31 January over 900 submissions had been received, although this number was likely to rise slightly.

"While the submission period has ended, there are a number of submissions still to be processed over the next few days," Mr Forlong said.

The 900 submissions included four group organised petitions representing almost 9000 signatures. Petitions were counted as a single submission, he said.

Once the geographical spread of submitters wishing to be heard had been analysed, a decision would be made on where and when hearings would be held around the country. Hearings would be held before a special committee, made up of ERMA New Zealand Authority members and external experts.

While the hearings would be open to the public, only submitters who had indicated they would like to speak before the committee would be able to do so, Mr Forlong said.

ERMA New Zealand publicly notified the application from the Department of Conservation and the Animal Health Board to reassess the use of 1080 in November last year. The statutory timeframe for submissions was later extended from 16 December 2006 to 31 January 2007.

Further information on 1080 and the submission and hearing process is available on the ERMA New Zealand website http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/news-events/focus/1080/faqs.html

ENDS

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