Native wildlife at risk of being poisoned after government issues permit to use 1080 bait

The Greens are concerned native wildlife could be in danger after the government issued a permit for a potent poison to be used at a Southern Midlands property.

Vica Bayley Greens member for Clark and Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Greens have raised concerns about critical native wildlife in danger after the government issued a permit to allow the use of 1080 poison on a Southern Midlands property next week.

In state parliament on Wednesday, Greens newest MP Vica Bayley asked Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer if she was aware of the permit issued for the 5712ha Swanston property.

“The use of 1080 poison is a cruel, crude and antiquated method of killing native wildlife which was banned on public land in Tasmania,” Mr Bayley said.

“Even Gunns Ltd, that bastion of animal ethics and social licence, moved to stop it

altogether.

“We have reports of healthy populations of species on the property, including

disease free Tasmanian devils, spotted-tailed and eastern quolls and multiple pairs of wedge-

tailed eagles. 1080 is non-target-specific and the impacts of secondary poisoning on

carnivores are of serious concern.”

Compound 1080, which is sodium fluoroacetate, has been widely used across Australia for pest control. However the poison can also be lethal to animals including native species, dogs and cats. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment also states there’s a risk of accidental poisoning of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses.

Mr Bayley asked if Minister Palmer would urgently review and cancel the permit to protect the threatened species that live there, and how it was issued in the first place.

Parliament, Jen Butler MP and Jo Palmer MLC. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms Palmer said she was not across the details of the particular matter.

“There has been quite a decline in the use of 1080 over the past 20 years,” she said.

“The total use of 1080 poison across Tasmania for the 2021-22 financial year was 0.73kg. This is a marked reduction compared to the 12.7kg used in 1999 and 2000.

“We are aware that there are issues around 1080 and the different opinions that people

have. At the moment we are looking at different options. However, we have seen a

significant reduction.”

Ms Palmer said she will look into the property which was issued the permit.