1080 Pest Animal Bait Products
Frequently Asked Questions
1080 Pest Animal Bait Users
Why do I have to do extra training to use 1080 when I already have my ACUP?
The training you undertake to qualify for an Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) doesn't address the specific risks involved in the use of 1080 bait, which is a dangerous poison with no antidote. Improving access to 1080 bait means that it is extremely important that users know how to use it safely. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the community and to minimise possibilities for off-target damage, you are now required to complete the Course in Minimising the Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control.
Can I do 1080 training before I complete a Farm Chemical Users Course?
No. A Farm Chemical User Course or equivelant isa prerequisite to the Course in Minimising the Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (1080 training).
How can I register for 1080 training?
Deliverers of the Course in Minimising the Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control are currently being determined. If you would like to be informed of who will be delivering these courses in 2008, please contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 in February 2008.
When this list has been determined, it will also be provided at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
How much does the 1080 endorsement training cost?
The cost will be determined by the individual training providers.
How long does 1080 training take?
Training courses are about half a day long.
Once I have done the 1080 training how do I obtain the 1080 endorsement to my current ACUP and how much will this cost?
If you already hold an ACUP and have successfully completed the 1080 training, you will need to complete an ACUP application form that can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/chemicalstandards.This form will be processed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and a 1080 endorsed ACUP will be sent to you free-of-charge.
What if I don't have an ACUP but want to use 1080 bait?
You have to complete a Farm Chemical Users Course (FCUC) and the 1080 training to be eligible to apply for a 1080 endorsed ACUP.
How much does a 1080 endorsed ACUP cost and how long is it valid for?
The 1080-endorsed ACUP will be the same price as an ordinary ACUP and remains valid for the life of an ordinary ACUP (10 years). There is no cost to add a 1080 endorsement to a current ACUP (with the exception of costs associated with training).
How have the requirements for using 1080 bait changed?
You'll have to undertake a 1080 Risk Assessment and present a signed Bait User Declaration form to the accredited or authorised retailer, along with your valid authorisation (eg. your 1080 endorsed ACUP). However, you don't have to present maps or fill out application forms anymore or get permission from DPI to buy 1080 bait products.
You must adhere to the product label and Directions for Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria and all other relevant legislative requirements. The Directions for Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria will be provided to you at the 1080 training and you can download a copy from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
What do I need to show the retailer to buy 1080 bait?
Firstly, you must have a valid authorisation, have undertaken a 1080 Risk Assessment and kept a copy for your records.
Then you must:
- present your valid authorisation (eg. ACUP with 1080 endorsement, Commercial Operator Licence (COL) with vermin destroyer endorsement or Licence to Use Pesticides (LTUP) with authorisation to control pest animals) to the accredited or authorised retailer; and .
- present a completed Bait User Declaration form to whomever you are purchasing from so they can co-sign it at the point of purchase.
The Bait User Declaration and Risk Assessment forms are available from DPI's website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment is a tool used to identify and evaluate potential risks to human health, the environment and off-target species associated with the proposed use of 1080 pest animal bait. Each situation is subject to an objective assessment of the issues and risks at a site to determine:
- whether using 1080 bait is the most appropriate control method; and
- if 1080 use is appropriate, what actions need to be taken to use the product safely (ie. minimising human, environmental or non-target risk).
You do not have to present the findings of your 1080 Risk Assessment to the retailer but you do have to keep a copy of it for your records for a minimum of 2 years. Instruction on how to undertake a 1080 Risk Assessment is covered in the 1080 training and also can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au (search for LC0427) or contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Do I have to present my 1080 Risk Assessment when I buy 1080 bait from an accredited retailer?
No. While you are legally obliged to do a risk assessment, you don't have to present your findings to the retailer of 1080 bait products. You do have to keep a copy of it however, and DPI officers may ask to see this copy if they are conducting audits.
How much bait do I need?
It depends on a range of factors such as the pest targeted, how many of them there are, what you want to achieve in terms of integrated pest management, seasonality and landscape features. The DPI website offers pest animal control notes to help you work out how much bait you need. 1080 pest animal bait products must be used in accordance with the product label and the Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.
What are the different types of 1080 pest animal bait?
The new system for 1080 will enable two categories of 1080 pest animal bait to be available in Victoria:
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) registered baits ego shelf-stable baits such as oats and dried meat baits. Retailer of theses must have Agsafe Guardian 1080 accreditation; and
- Perishable baits (fresh bait) such as carrot and liver manufactured using 1080 aqueous solution, registered with the APVMA for that purpose. These baits are not registered with the APVMA but are supplied under an APVMA permit. Retailers of perishable baits must meet specific training and accreditation requirements and be licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and these baits must be laid within 3 days of the date of manufacture.
What types of perishable baits are legally available in Victoria?
It is illegal to use any perishable bait substrate in Victoria other than:
- carrot bait for rabbit control
- liver bait for wild dog or fox control
- meat (boneless, red meat) for wild dog control.
Where can I purchase commercially manufactured shelf-stable baits, such as oats and dried meat bait?
A list of Agsafe Guardian 1080 accredited retailers supplying these baits are available on the Agsafe website www.agsafe.com.au/
Where can I purchase perishable 1080 baits from?
A list of licensed perishable bait manufacturers can be found at
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/dpu/1080_poison.htm
Can someone else pick up my bait for me?
Yes. But only if they are 18 years or over and an authorised 1080 bait user and can present the following to the retailer:
- your signed Bait User Declaration; and
- your valid authorisation (ACUP with 1080 endorsement, COL with ven'nin destroyer endorsement or LTI,JP with authorisation to control pest animals); and
- their valid authorisation (ACUP with 1080 endorsement, COL with vermin destroyer endorsement or LTUP with authorisation to control pest animals).
That person can only supply the bait directly to you.
I don't have an ACUP with 1080 endorsement. Can my neighbour who holds an ACUP with 1080 endorsement buy bait and let me use it under their supervision?
Yes. However you need to be under the direct and immediate supervision of your neighbour and you must adhere to the product label, Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria and all the other relevant legislation. Your neighbour has to undertake a Risk Assessment and fill out a Bait User Declaration form in order to purchase the bait.
What safety measures have been introduced?
Three key safety measures have been introduced:
- bait users have to complete a '1080-specific training course; and
- bait users have to conduct a 1080 Risk Assessments before purchasing 1080 pest animal bait; and
- bait users must adhere to the Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria and product labels which will carry more comprehensive safety information.
What safeguards have been implemented to reduce the risk to non-target species?
By law, bait users have to complete a 1080 Risk Assessment and ascertain that baiting with 1080 is the most appropriate pest control option, prior to purchasing or laying the bait. The Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria and product labels will have information on how to minimise the risk to human health, the environment and non-target species.
Will the price of bait change?
Yes. The Victorian Government subsidised the price of 1080 baits while they were the sole provider. However now that 1080 is commercially available, users will pay market price. The resources that were directed into subsidising baits will now be allocated to implementing pest management projects on private and public land.
What is the Victorian Government's role in pest management now that it is not manufacturing and providing 1080 pest animal bait products to end users?
The Victorian Government will focus on ensuring compliance with relevant Acts and giving helpful advice to landholders so they can make informed decisions about pest animal management.
Who regulates the manufacture and sale of 1080 in Victoria?
DHS will regulate the manufacture and wholesale of APVMA registered 1080 pest animal bait products and the manufacture and retail of perishable baits.
Who regulates the use of 1080 in Victoria?
DPI is responsible for regulating the use of 1080 in Victoria.
Where can I get advice about pest animal management?
A range of pest animal notes are located on the DPI website. Alternatively, the DPI Customer Service Centre (136 186) can answer questions relating to pest animal management or refer you to a pest animal management expert.
Who will be making sure I adhere to the law and what are the penalties if I don't?
DPI will be auditing 1080 users to ensure that they are meeting their legislative responsibilities. By law you must be an authorised person to use 1080 (ie. hold a 1080 endorsed ACUP) and comply with all conditions of use including:
- using the product in accordance with product label and the Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria, this includes - conducting a 1080 Risk Assessment; and - completing a Bait User Declaration; and
- keeping records of use for a minimum of 2 years. Failure to comply can lead to a maximum fine of $43,000 for companies and $21,500 for individuals.
Can I use 1080 bait in Victoria that I purchased in another State?
No. 1080 baits are purchased under the particular legislative requirements of the state/territory in which they are purchased.
How will coordinated baiting campaigns be encouraged?
Government pest management programs and organisations like Landcare will continue to promote baiting as part of an integrated approach to pest animal management. More convenient access to 1080 pest animal bait products will make it easier for landholders to implement coordinated control efforts in their local area.
Do I have to tell my neighbours that I intend to lay 1080 bait?
Yes. By law anyone who uses 1080 pest animal bait on their land must provide written notification to all occupiers of land adjoining theirs before the bait is laid.
You have to give your neighbours at least 72 hours written notification before you lay bait. If, however, ten days pass and you haven't laid bait then you have to give your neighbours a further 72 hours written notice.
If conducting a baiting program for a continuous or extended period of time, notification must be provided to neighbours every 12 weeks.
A template neighbour notification letter is available from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
Who do I call if I think that my dog might have died from ingesting 1080 poison?
All incidents of non-target damage must be reported to the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Is there a minimum property size for baiting?
No. There is no minimum property size for baiting in Victoria, however there are minimum distances the bait has to be laid from certain landscape features such as roads, houses, fences and water. 1080 Risk assessments are used to assess the appropriateness of using bait and include the consideration of property size.
Users must adhere to minimum distance requirements when laying bait. The minimum distance requirements are specified
below:
| Feature | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Dwelling |
150 metres |
| Permanent or flowing water bodies | 20 metres |
| Domestic drinking water supply | 20 metres |
| Boundary fences | 5 metres |
| Edge of formed public roadways | 5 metres |
In the case of aerial baiting (only) the following minimum distances must be adhered to:
| Feature | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Dwelling |
200 metres |
| Permanent or flowing water bodies | 100 metres |
| Domestic drinking water supply | 100 metres |
| Boundary fences | 50 metres |
| Edge of formed public roadways | 50 metres |
Where do I get the Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria?
They will be provided to you at the Course in Minimising the Risks in the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (1080 training) and are also available at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
Where do I get warning signs?
It is expected that these will be available from your retailer. To create your own you must follow the specifications found in the Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.
Where do I get neighbour notification templates?
These are available at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080
Which animals can I bait?
In Victoria, 1080 bait is currently only registered for the control of rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and wild dogs.
Do I have to bait?
No. Baiting is only one tool for managing pests and should form part of an integrated program. In other words, baiting shouldn't be the only thing you do and might not be an appropriate control method depending on your individual situation. The 1080 Risk Assessment you are required to complete prior to the purchase of 1080 pest animal bait products should determine if in fact the use of 1080 bait is the most appropriate control option at the time.
Can I bait for someone else?
Yes. Providing you:
– are authorised to use 1080 bait products; and
- have completed a 1080 Risk Assessment prior to purchasing 1080 pest animal bait products; and
- have completed a Bait User Declaration form and provided it to the retailer at the point of bait purchase; and
- comply with the product label arid Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria; and
- are not getting paid in any way to do it as you can only be paid to lay bait. if you have a commercial licence.
What is a Bait User Declaration?
This is a Qne-page form you must complete and provide to the retailer for co-signing at the point of sale. It includes a declaration that you are an authorised person, that you have completed a 1080 Risk Assessment and that you will use the 1080 bait products in accordance with the product label and Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.
The Bait User Declaration is available from www.dpi.vic.gov.au/1080 and will also be made available at the 1080 training courses.
What records do I have to keep?
You must keep records of use in accordance with the proposed Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007. For further details contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Do I have to get approval from DPI to bait?
No. You simply have to accurately complete the 1080 Risk Assessment, present the completed Bait User Declaration to the retailer for co-signing at the point of sale and comply with the product label and Directions for the Use of 1080 Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.
