Undertaking a Risk Assessment for Vertebrate Pest Control Using 1080
Note number: LC0427
Published: December 2007
In 2008, a new system was introduced for 1080 pest animal bait product supply in Victoria. Under this new system 1080 pest animal bait products can be purchased by authorised persons (such as 1080 endorsed ACUP holders) from accredited retailers and licensed perishable bait manufacturers.
1080 Pest Animal Bait Risk Assessment
As part of the planning process and prior to purchasing or using any 1080 pest animal bait product, users must complete a 1080 Pest Animal Bait Risk Assessment form.
Completing the 1080 Risk Assessment form will help you to determine if 1080 baiting is the best control option and, if so, how much bait will be needed, what the risks are and how these risks will be managed.
The 1080 Risk Assessment form provides the user with a checklist of actions that need to be undertaken prior to, during and after baiting. It covers the identification of hazards (i.e. toxicity to target and non-target species) and the potential for non-target animals species to be exposed to bait. The 1080 Risk Assessment form will enable you to identify the risks for the various exposure scenarios and implement risk minimisation strategies.
Completing a 1080 Pest Animal Bait Risk Assessment
A suggested process for completing the 1080 Risk Assessment has been provided below:
- Monitor the pest species that you are planning on managing, identifying where they are living, travelling, foraging and/or feeding and estimating their numbers on the property where baits may be laid.
- Consider which of the pest animal management techniques available will be most effective for your situation.
- Determine if a 1080 pest animal bait program is the most appropriate course of action. If it is, download the appropriate risk assessment for the pest animal species that you are trying to manage from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080 or call the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
- Prior to purchasing a 1080 bait product, complete all blank sections of the 1080 Risk Assessment form, which includes the baiting details, monitoring information and the checklist of activities that are tobe completed to use 1080 legally and in a safe and responsible manner.
- Speak with your neighbours about the pest animalproblem and potential management solutions, including baiting. Discuss with them the possibility of undertaking coordinated baiting as this approach gives a greater level of pest animal control over a larger area of land.
- Identify where the most appropriate location(s) for bait placement.
- Sign the bottom of the 1080 Risk Assessment form, provide your authorisation details and intended date of bait purchase.
- Keep a record of your 1080 Risk Assessment form for a minimum period of 2 years
Legal Requirements
It is a legal requirement that authorised persons (1080 pest animal bait users) complete a 1080 Risk Assessment form prior to bait purchase and present a signed Bait User Declaration at the point of purchase. Users are not required to present the 1080 Risk Assessment form to the retailer. However, users must keep a copy of this completed 1080 Risk Assessment form. Records of all agricultural chemicals used in Victoria must be made as per the requirements of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007. These records must be made within 48 hours of use, and kept for a period of two years after use.
When using 1080 pest animal bait products, users must comply with the product label and Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria. The user is responsible for the use of 1080 pest animal bait products and is potentially liable for any damage that occurs if legal directions are not complied with.
1080 Risk Assessment and Risk Management
A range of 1080 legislative policy and operational procedures also aid in minimising risk. Factors to consider when undertaking a baiting program include:
Environmental Factors
The major considerations are accidental contamination of:
- water
- feedstuffs
Environmental impacts can be avoided through responsible placement of baits, secure storage of bait, use of appropriate bait quantities and effective bait and carcass recovery and disposal.
Always dispose of carcasses and unwanted bait products away from natural features like waterways, as specified on the product label. If incinerating, ensure that heat totally destroys the 1080 poison and that you adhere to local and state restrictions.
Non-target species
1080 pest animal bait products are not species-specific and can kill non-target species. Risks to non-target species should be identified in the initial planning phase of the program and practices should be adapted accordingly. For example, when using 1080 pest animal bait products for rabbit control, be aware that:
- Domestic dogs are susceptible to primary poisoning from ingesting 1080 pest animal bait products and secondary poisoning from ingesting contaminated carcasses. Every attempt must be made to pick up, and dispose of carcasses.
- Steps – for example muzzling, restraint – need to be taken to ensure that domestic dogs and otherdomestic animals do not gain access to 1080 pest animal bait products or poisoned animals.
- Birds may be susceptible to both primary and secondary poisoning, although this is not probable due to the quantity of carcass/baits required. Burying baits and the dyeing of baits helps to reduce these risks.
When using 1080 fox or wild dog bait products be aware that:
- Herbivore susceptibility is a low risk when using 1080 meat or 1080 shelf-stable fox bait products because herbivores are unlikely to consume them as these baits must be buried.
- Domestic dogs, wild dogs and foxes are extremely susceptible to primary poisoning. Steps – for example muzzling, restraint – need to be taken to ensure that domestic dogs or other domestic animals do not gain access to 1080 pest animal baits or poisoned animals.
- Birds are considered to be low risk to primary poisoning as baits must be buried.
- Increasing distances between buried baits and burying to a depth greater than 8cm significantly reduces this risk.
When using 1080 feral pig bait products be aware that:
- Domestic dogs are susceptible to primary poisoning from ingesting 1080 pest animal bait products and secondary poisoning from ingesting contaminated carcasses. Every attempt must bemade to pick up, and dispose of carcasses.
- Steps – for example muzzling, restraint – need to be taken to ensure that domestic dogs and other domestic animals do not gain access to 1080 pest animal bait products or poisoned animals.
- Birds may be susceptible to secondary poisoning, although this is not probable due to the quantity of carcass/baits required.
Methods to minimise bait uptake by non-target species
These methods include:
- Varying bait placement and timing to suit feeding behaviour of target species and to avoid nontarget species.
- Using free feeding to introduce pest species to bait at a time when non-target species are not actively feeding.
- Burying free feed baits in a mound of fine sand/soil aggregate spread over a diameter of one metre. The sand should be checked for tracks regularly to ensure it is in fact the target species that is taking the baits.
- Using spotlight monitoring to determine pest animal population, abundance and distribution.
- Selecting bait types not usually taken by nontarget species.
- Using pulse baiting or staggering the baits to reduce the opportunity for multiple take and caching by an individual animal, particularly predators such as foxes.
- Trapping mammals to monitor presence of nontarget species.
- Observing tracks, scats and other sign of nontargets in baiting area.
- Use of bait stations to exclude/limit non-target species access to poisoned bait.
Reducing potential harm to non-target species
To reduce the potential harm to non-target wildlife: Bait users must comply with free feeding directions on the product label (if applicable).
- Bait placement must be such that non-target access is minimised.
- Baits must not be laid at times when, or in locations where, birds or other non-target species are likely to be harmed by them.
- Correct bait placement must be ensured, including selecting the minimum effective baiting rate and avoiding baiting during the non-target species main breeding seasons.
- Steps must be taken to ensure that domestic dogs do not gain access to 1080 pest animal baits or poisoned carcases. This can include restraint or muzzling.
- A person must not allow domestic stock that they own or control to access any land on which bait has been placed until the baiting has been completed and all efforts have been made to collect and destroy uneaten bait. This applies to trail baiting and aerial or ground broadcast baiting for rabbit control.
Accidental poisoning
Any death of stock, wildlife or companion animal that is suspected or known to have been caused by the ingestion of 1080 pest animal bait must be reported to DPI on 136 186 within 24 hours of any such death or suspicion of poisoning occurring.
Alternative methods
Risk to non-target species from poisoning can be minimised by using alternative control methods such as:
Trapping
Traps are available and vary in design and size depending on the target species. When considering this option be aware of the relevant codes of practice and legislative requirements.
Cultural practices
This may include activities such as harbour removal, livestock control and feed management to discourage pest establishment.
Ripping
The ripping and destruction of dens and warrens discourages pest animal establishment and is best used in combination with other methods.
Fencing
Good fencing can be used to exclude pest animals. Exclusion fencing keeps numbers low and reduces the impact in areas where baiting is difficult or not feasible.
Shooting
This option can be used for population harvesting, sport or recreation or as a control option for special circumstances (i.e. managing a rogue dog). Ensure that the operator adheres to the State and Commonwealth codes of practice,licensing and legislative requirements.
Biological control
This option involves the use of living organisms or their products to assist in the control of pest populations.
Companion animal
The option involves using an animal to protect domestic animals or wildlife from pest species.
Further information
- Contact your local landcare or friends group for further assistance and advice.
- Call the DPI/DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
- Contact your local DPI Pest Management Officer for advice on local programs.
- Visit the DPI website at: http//www.dpi.vic.gov.au and the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre at: http://www.invasiveanimals.com
Acknowledgements
This Information Note was developed by Department of Primary Industries
This Information Note was Written by Natalie Tostovrsnik and Michael Rosier, DPI
