24 March 2011

Authority approves new pest poison

The Environmental Risk Management Authority has approved the use of a new poison to control stoats, ferrets and feral cats.

Connovation Limited applied to ERMA New Zealand to import and manufacture para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) for ground control of pests.

Field trials have demonstrated that PAPP is particularly effective against stoats, which are estimated to kill up to 70 percent of kiwi chicks in the wild.

Compared to other approved vertebrate toxic agents, PAPP is a more humane poison. It carries a reduced risk of secondary poisoning and the availability of antidotes mean there are reduced risks of irreversible adverse effects to non-target species.

The approval allows the use of three products: PAPP Paste A, PAPP Paste B and PAPP Ready-to-use Bait. Strict controls have been placed on the use of all three products, including the requirement for people handling the substances to be approved by ERMA New Zealand and restricting it to use within bait stations.

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