Frequently Asked Questions about 1080

1080 - Frequently Asked Questions

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What training do I need to undertake 1080 baiting in the NT?

• A ChemCert Certificate Level 3 or SmartTrain Chemical Application Course (AQF3) through an accredited training provider; and
• Completion of the 1080 training program through an accredited training provider (RTE3406A: Implement a Vertebrate Pest Control Program).

Once an individual has successfully completed the two required training accreditations above; applications should be made to DRDPIFR for a ‘1080 User Authorisation’.

As a landholder what paperwork do I need before I start baiting?

• Ensure that you or your nominees are in possession of a ‘1080 User Authorisation’.
• Obtain an ‘Approval to Purchase a 1080 Chemical Product and Conduct a 1080 Baiting Program’ from DRDPIFR.
• Obtain a ‘Permit to Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Animal Control’ from the NRETAS permit Department.

Do I need to get all that documentation every time I want to lay baits?
No.

• The 1080 training qualification, SmartTrain or ChemCert certificates and ‘1080 user Authorisation’ will all be valid for 5 years and
• The ‘Approval to Purchase a 1080 Chemical Product and Conduct a 1080 Baiting Program’ will remain valid for 2 years in line with other S7 products, and

The only permit that you need to apply for at each baiting session is;

• The Permit to ‘Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Control’ from NRETAS. It will be issued for a period of up to 90 days at a time.

Will nominees be accepted?
Yes.
Someone who holds a current ‘1080 User Authorisation’ can be a nominee on both the ‘Approval to Purchase a 1080 Product and Conduct a 1080 Baiting Program’ and the ‘Permit to Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Control’.

How can I purchase 1080 manufactured baits?
You need to have:

• A ‘1080 user Authorisation’;
• An ‘Approval to Purchase a 1080 Chemical Product and Conduct a 1080 Baiting Program’ or be a nominee on this form;
• A ‘Permit to Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Control’ or be a nominee on this form;
• Photo identification that must also be shown at the time of purchase.

Can I purchase powder or liquid 1080 poison so that I can inject my own meat baits?
No.
These authorisations are for manufactured 1080 products only. To conduct fresh meat baiting programs landholders will have to either contract NRETAS (a fee for service will apply as of 1 September 2009) or a private contractor (trained providers available in 2010).

Can I apply to bait several of my properties on one application?
No.
You will need a separate application for each property and each baiting session.

Who can lay baits?
Only individuals that have:

• A ‘1080 User Authorisation’;
• An ‘Approval to Purchase a 1080 Chemical Product and Conduct a 1080 Baiting Program’ or is a nominee on this document;
• A ‘Permit to Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Animal Control’ or is a nominee on this document.

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Are there fines for using 1080 poison without the proper authorisations and permits?
Yes.
You could be fined under the:

• Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (TPWCA)  
• Northern Territory of Australia Animal Welfare Act
• Agricultural and Veterinary chemicals (control of use) regulations
• Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act
• Workplace Health and Safety Act
• Dangerous Goods Act

Will audits be conducted?
Yes.

• DRDPIFR will conduct spot checks of baiting sites and landholder records and conduct audits of ‘1080 User Authorisation’ records;
• NRETAS will conduct spot checks of baiting sites and conduct audits of the ‘Permit to Take Protected Wildlife for 1080 Pest Animal Control’;
• Department of Health and Families will conduct audits of licensed sellers of 1080 poison.

What kind of baits can I use once trained?
Manufactured dry meat baits only for example

• Doggone® or De-K9® for wild dogs
• Pigout® for feral pigs
• Foxoff® or De-Fox® for foxes

 

What about fresh meat baits?

• The existing baiting service offered by NRETAS will continue free of charge until 31 August 2009, after which time a fee for service will apply.
• In 2010, DRDPIFR will introduce a training program enabling accredited Pest Animal Controllers to become authorised to prepare and lay fresh meat baits using liquid 1080. This service will then be available to landholders through private operators.

Is 1080 poison dangerous for my pets and livestock?

• Canids (dogs and foxes) are among the most sensitive animals to 1080 poison; herbivores and birds are less sensitive, and reptiles, fish and amphibians are relatively insensitive to 1080. There is no effective antidote for 1080 poison.
• The table below shows the Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) rate which equates to the amount of toxin (mg) per kg body weight required to kill 50% of test animals.

Species	LD50 (mg/kg body weight)	Average adult body weight (kg)	Amount required for LD50 (mg)
Dog	0.11	14.5	1.6
Fox	0.12	6.5	0.78
Cat	0.35	4.4	1.54
Rabbit	0.4	1.6	0.64
Cattle	0.4	450	180
Pig	1.02	55	56.1
Human	2	80	160
Wedge-tailed eagle	9.1	4.85	44.14
Crow	12.8	0.38	4.86

           
     

 

 

 

 

Is there a risk of secondary poisoning?
Manufactured baits are designed to be most attractive to the species that it is targeting and to break down over time, however it would be prudent to retrieve all unused baits and bury carcasses before allowing livestock and pets back into the area to help alleviate secondary poisoning.

Can humans absorb 1080 poison through their skin?

• 1080 can be absorbed through cuts and abrasions, but is not readily absorbed through unbroken skin.
• However, it is recommended that individuals seek medical advice in the event that they are exposed to 1080.

What safety measures must I take when baiting?

• Wear appropriate protective clothing.
• Always read the label before using the poison (including the small print).
• Avoid contamination of the skin, especially the eyes and mouth.
• Never eat, drink or smoke when mixing or applying pesticides.
• Always have plenty of water available for washing.
• Never leave baits unattended.
• The 1080 material safety data sheet and appropriate first aid instructions should be available at all times.
• Never allow children or other unauthorised persons near the baiting operation.

 
Can anyone with a property apply to lay baits?

• Use of 1080 poison for wild dog and fox control is limited to properties of 40 (forty) hectares or greater.
• Use of 1080 manufactured baits for feral pig control is limited to properties of 10 (ten) hectares or greater.
• Within the municipal boundaries of townships, the local council is responsible for the management of wild dogs.
• Individual applications for smaller properties may be considered upon application.

Are there restrictions on where I can lay baits?
Baits must not be laid within

• 3km of a dwelling, (other than own dwelling), or place of habitation (including Community Living Areas (CLAs), roadside reserves, designated roadside rest stops, truck parking bays, fuel stops, tourist attractions) and any other public amenity area.  
• 150m of own dwelling (includes stations living quarters)
• 20m of a permanent or flowing watercourse
• 5m of a boundary line that does not adjoin a major highway or public road. 
• 500m of a major highway
• 250m of any other public roadway

How many 1080 baits can I lay?
The maximum number of baits that can be laid on a property during a single baiting exercise will be stipulated on your NRETAS permit and may vary depending on

• The target species
• The size of the property
• The biodiversity value of the property
• Previous baiting cover may also be considered when assessing applications

In the case of wild dogs, the number will be determined by either:

• Multiplying the number of registered bores and dams on the property by 25;or
• Dividing the total property size in square km by three. The largest of these figures is the maximum.

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How much 1080 manufactured baits should I buy?
The quantity and type of 1080 product approved for purchase will be stipulated on the NRETAS permit. 

Can I keep some bait for next time?
No.
Baits must not be held over for later use unless specified on the “Approval to purchase a 1080 chemical product and conduct a 1080 baiting program”. Baits that are not used within the period stipulated must be destroyed in accordance with label directions and permit conditions.

Is there a limit on how many applications I can make in 1 year?
No.
But each application will be assessed individually and take previous baiting programs into consideration.

Where can I store 1080 poison baits?
When not in use, 1080 products must be stored in a locked storage container that is securely fixed within a non-domestic building (no living or habitation).  The only person that can have access to the locked container is the individual who is the holder of the “Approval to purchase a 1080 chemical product and conduct a 1080 baiting program”.

How do I safely transport 1080 poison baits?
While in transport, 1080 products must be kept outside of the cabin or luggage compartment of the vehicle away from any foodstuffs or domestic pets.  The 1080 must be stored in such a way that it cannot be removed from the vehicle (e.g. in a locked box that is chained to the vehicle). Containers must be clearly labelled to indicate that they contain 1080. If at any time the occupant is to leave the vehicle, the 1080 products must remain in a locked container. An MSDS sheet must be carried at all times with poison baits in case of emergency.

What else do I have to do before I can lay baits?

• Notify your neighbours.
• The notification must be given to all neighbours by telephone, fax, email, mail or hand delivered so that a minimum notice of 5 days is given before commencement of baiting.
• Notify any local Indigenous communities.
• Notification must be conveyed via an interpreter fluent in the local indigenous dialect as well as placing notifications on available notice boards and points of entry to the community. Note: A record must also be kept of all neighbours notified including when and how and if baiting does not commence within 5 days of the notified completion date, a new neighbour notification must be made.
• Put up signs.
• Warning signs must be placed on every entrance to the property. Signs must also be erected at adjoining roadside reserves, designated roadside rest stops, truck parking bays, fuel stops, tourist attractions and any other public amenity areas and must remain for at least 4 weeks. Signs can be purchased in conjunction with baits.

What is the best and easiest way to lay 1080 baits?

• Ground baiting - Ground baiting allows baits to be strategically placed to maximise the chances of the target animal encountering them, while at the same time reducing the risks of these baits being taken by non-target animals. The more strategic placement means that fewer baits are required when compared with aerial baiting operations. More information regarding best practice for each species can be found on the NRETAS or DRDPIFR websites.
• Aerial baiting - Aerial baiting will only be approved for large-scale damage problems where ground baiting is impossible or impractical in inaccessible areas.

What if I don’t finish my baiting program within the authorised timeframe?      
If the bait laying campaign cannot be completed within the authorised bait laying period, the Chemicals Coordinator (DRDPIFR) must be notified by fax or email before the baiting campaign period expires. The reason the baits cannot be laid must be advised and alternate dates which will allow completion of the previously approved baiting campaign should be indicated.  A response will be forwarded within 10 working days of receipt of this notification. New baiting dates OR reason for rejection of the authorisation will be provided. 

What do I do once I have finished my baiting program?

• The 1080 baiting diary (or equivalent recording paperwork) is to be updated and kept for a period of 2 years.
• A return is to be forwarded to NRETAS by the holder of the permit to interfere with wildlife stipulating baiting dates, target locations, number of baits laid and number and type of observed deaths.
• Left over bait is to be destroyed or buried as per label instructions or permit conditions.
• Signage is to be left on display for a minimum of four (4) weeks.
• Any incidents are to be reported.

Who do I notify if an incident occurs?         

• Any incident where it is suspected that non-target animals have been poisoned by 1080 must be reported immediately by phone/email/fax to the NRETAS Permits Officer.
• If any baits are suspected to have been stolen, DRDPIFR and NT Police must be notified immediately by phone/fax/ email.

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