MEDIA RELEASE
1080 Operations Safe And Effective
The Pest Control Education Trust (PCET) today welcomed the release of ERMA's annual report which said that the benefits
of 1080 use for pest control were being realised and risks minimised.
PCET supports the use of biodegradable 1080, under strict guidelines, as a critical tool in the battle to conserve New
Zealand's native fauna and flora and to fight bovine TB.
PCET Trustee, Professor of Ecology and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research) from Victoria University Charles Daugherty
said that strict management of 1080 operations is vitally important and that the ERMA report should give the public
confidence that the critical role 1080 plays in pest control was being appropriately monitored.
"We have to decide between feeding our treasured native species to introduced pests - or killing the pests so our native
species can survive. We have a responsibility to ensure the survival of our native species and that is being done. And
it is being done safely," he said.
PCET Trustee and Federated Farmers General Manager Policy and Advocacy Mark Ross said that farmers would also welcome
the report.
"1080 is very important in the fight against bovine TB, and I'm sure famers will be pleased to be assured that it is
being applied safely and effectively," he said.
Forest & Bird Advocacy Manager and PCET Trustee Kevin Hackwell noted that stringent testing of 113 water samples had once again
demonstrated no harmful levels of the pest control toxin.
"New Zealanders who value our natural environment can feel very confident that this important tool in our fight against
destructive pests is being safely and responsibly managed," he said.
www.1080facts.co.nz
ends