1
Annual Report on the Aerial Use of 1080
For the year ended 31 December 2014
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
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Contents
Executive summary
4
Background 5
Organisations that use aerial application of 1080 for pest control
5
Application information
8
Aerial pest control operations
10
Post-operational reports
10
Communication 12
Monitoring 14
Incidents and public concerns
15
Incident summaries
17
Research 21
Cover photo: with thanks to Herb Christopher, Department of Conservation
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Executive summary
The substance sodium monofluoroacetate, also known
stoats were carried out across large areas of beech
as 1080, is used to control animal pests including
forest, mostly in the South Island. The operations were
possums, rabbits, stoats, and rats. It is used for both
targeted to protect at-risk populations of mōhua/
conservation purposes and to prevent the spread of
yellowhead, kākāriki/parakeet, kiwi, whio/blue duck,
bovine tuberculosis (TB).
kea, kākā, rock wren, giant land snails, and native bats.
1080 is one of the most closely monitored hazardous
Breaches of the Hazardous Substances and New
substances in New Zealand. In 2007, 1080 was reassessed
Organisms (HSNO) Act controls occurred in six of
and controls on its aerial use were tightened.
the 58 aerial 1080 operations in 2014. This is down
from eight breaches in 2013. There were two public
This is the eighth annual report and the seventh
incidents, the same number as for 2013, while the
since the reassessment to include data from aerial
number of dog deaths increased from two to five.
operations. The report sets out the number of
operations for the 2014 calendar year, the area of
Most incidents continue to be reported by operators
land covered, any incidents that occurred during
and funding agencies rather than by members of the
operations, and research about 1080.
public or other agencies.
The main findings of this annual report are consistent
with previous years, showing that the regime is
working as intended and the benefits of using 1080
are being seen while the risks are minimised.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received
58 reports of aerial 1080 operations in 2014, covering
967,012 hectares. While this is a similar number of 1080
operations to the previous year’s figure, the operations
covered a larger area. The difference in total area
covered and number of operations is likely due to a
combination of the cycle of pest control operations
and the Battle for our Birds programme run by the
Department of Conservation (DOC).
The DOC programme was undertaken to address
an expected rodent and stoat plague driven by a
significant beech mast (flowering and seeding event)
during the 2013–14 summer. The masting event was
predicted to affect most of New Zealand’s beech
forests. Operations to target rodents and suppress
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Background
The reassessment of 1080 for use in pest control was
Aerial application uses aircraft to distribute baits. Users
completed by the Environmental Risk Management
consider its efficiency and effectiveness an advantage
Authority (ERMA) New Zealand in August 2007. ERMA
for pest control undertaken on rugged or remote land.
concluded that the benefits of using 1080 outweighed
Pest control operators have different reasons for using
the adverse effects, and decided to allow the
aerially applied 1080. The organisations that aerially
continued use of 1080 with additional controls.
apply 1080 are:
In reaching its decision, ERMA recognised the
ʭ TBfree New Zealand
importance of engagement through better
ʭ Department of Conservation
communication and consultation with the public,
local communities, Māori, and special interest groups.
ʭ regional councils
The decision outlined a management regime for
ʭ other land managers.
1080 operations, which included the requirement
for operators to report on all aerial 1080 operations.
TBfree New Zealand
ERMA and, from 2011, the EPA would then report
TBfree New Zealand (TBfree, a wholly owned subsidiary
annually on the outcome of those operations.
of OSPRI New Zealand) is responsible for managing and
implementing the National Pest Management Plan for
This is the eighth annual report since the release of the
Bovine Tuberculosis (TB Plan) in New Zealand, under the
reassessment decision. It provides information about:
Biosecurity Act 1993.
ʭ aerial 1080 operations carried out in the 2014
The TB Plan was approved by the Government in 1998,
calendar year
then amended in 2004 and again in 2011. It provides for
ʭ research carried out up to July 2015.
measures to control and eradicate TB in cattle and deer
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
herds, and in wildlife populations that act as vectors and
concluded in her 20111 and 20132 reports that 1080 is
reservoirs for the disease. The plan operates in two ways:
the best form of pest control currently available to help
ʭ disease control – aiming to control and contain the
protect native flora and fauna.
spread of the disease within and between cattle
and deer herds, leading to eradication of TB from
Organisations that use aerial
herds
application of 1080 for pest control
ʭ vector control – aiming to control, contain, and
Control of animal pests such as possums, wallabies,
eradicate TB from the wild animal species (in most
rabbits, rats, and stoats is carried out using both ground
cases possums) responsible for spreading the
control and aerial application of poisons. Ground control
disease to cattle and deer.
may include methods such as trapping, shooting, or
placing various toxins in bait stations. The toxins, or
vertebrate toxic agents, may include 1080.
1 Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, June 2011,
Evaluating the use of 1080: Predators, poisons and silent forests.
2 Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, June 2013,
Update report on the original investigation, Evaluating the use of
1080: Predators, poisons and silent forests.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
TBfree uses a combination of ground control methods
Battle for our Birds programme
and aerially applied 1080 in its strategy for containing
Approximately every 15 years, beech forests
and controlling possums. In 2014, TBfree treated
throughout New Zealand flower prolifically. The heavy
approximately 307,334 hectares of land using aerial
seed fall that results benefits pest species such as
application of 1080.
introduced rats and mice. DOC knew late in 2013 that
Department of Conservation
if massive beech seeding occurred in the autumn of
early 2014 as predicted, then rat and mice populations
New Zealand has many unique species of plants and
would multiply exponentially. Many of the rats and
animals. Because they evolved without mammalian
mice would survive the following winter, initiating a
species being present, many are vulnerable to
rodent plague that in turn would drive a plague of
introduced mammalian pests. Introduced species such
stoats. The following spring and summer, rats and
as possums, rats, stoats, and ferrets not only pose a
stoats would have wide-ranging adverse effects on
serious threat to the survival of New Zealand’s native
species, they also threaten to destroy entire ecosystems
nesting native bird species and on species such as
through predation, browsing, and competition.
snails, other invertebrates, and lizards.
DOC manages approximately 8.75 million hectares of
By mid-2014, monitoring of rat populations
conservation land. It uses a combination of ground
confirmed the imminent threat of a rat plague. In
control methods and aerial application of 1080 to:
response, DOC identified areas where substantial
populations of the most-threatened species existed
ʭ improve the health of ecosystems by reducing the
and planned its largest-ever series of pest control
impact of browsing, competition, and predation by
operations. The operations included the use of 1080
possums, rats, and other introduced pests
over approximately 600,000 hectares of mainly beech
ʭ protect threatened species from predators through
forest in the South Island.
direct control and secondary poisoning3
Battle for our Birds aerial 1080 operations began in
ʭ control rabbits.
August 2014, suppressing rat populations during
the crucial spring and summer when nesting adult
The total area of land under DOC’s sustained
birds, eggs, and chicks were most vulnerable. Stoats
management for possums is about 1.042 million
were killed by feeding on poisoned rodents and/or
hectares.4 DOC does not report the area under sustained
produced fewer young because their prey species had
management for rats or stoats. In 2014, DOC treated
been suppressed. When the birds had fledged and the
approximately 645,3565 hectares for possums or rats
seed source had been depleted or germinated, the rat
using aerial application of 1080. This is a significant
populations no longer threatened the native species.
increase compared with last year, due to the Battle for
our Birds programme undertaken to combat the beech
With better understanding of the dynamics of predator
mast-driven pest plague.
populations and continued improvements in the
3 Scavenging pests such as stoats are controlled by secondary poisoning when they feed on the dead or dying primary targets
of 1080 operations (rodents and possums).
4 Not including the Chatham Islands and sub-Antarctic islands.
5 A significant proportion of the 645,356 hectares had not previously been included in the 1.042 million hectares under
sustained management.
7
efficiency and effectiveness of operations, DOC is now
In 2014, regional councils reported aerially applying 1080
planning incremental increases in the overall average
to approximately 12,102 hectares of land.
area treated for small mammal pests each year. For
Other land managers
sites where a purely possum-driven control approach
was previously taken, greater frequency of treatment
Farmers and land managers such as Land Information
could optimise the results of treatment for both
New Zealand use a combination of aerial application
possums and predators.
of 1080 and other rabbit-control methods like
shooting and ground-laid poisons to reduce the
For beech mast-driven systems (and where other
environmental effects of rabbits. These pest-control
species have mast events that drive pest plagues), it is
methods are used to meet the requirements of
expected that seeding events will occur intermittently.
regional pest management plans or for pest control
With the help of NIWA scientists (National Institute
to protect crops on individual farms.
of Water and Atmospheric Research), DOC is well
placed to accurately predict when these will happen
In some areas referred to as rabbit-prone land, the rabbit
and can take action to avoid risk to valued species.
population is not curbed by natural mechanisms and
(More information is available at
www.DOC.govt.nz/
numbers can increase quickly. An increase in numbers
our-work/battle-for-our-birds/). At sites with less varied
can cause environmental effects such as:
pest dynamics, the frequency of operations will be
ʭ a reduction in the diversity of plant species
optimised to achieve the desired outcomes for pest
ʭ an increased risk of erosion
control in the most efficient manner.
ʭ a reduction in soil quality
Regional councils
Under the Resource Management Act 1991, regional
ʭ adverse effects on indigenous and other fauna
councils are responsible for maintaining indigenous
when predators of rabbits such as cats and
biological diversity in their regions. They are also required
mustelids target alternative prey.6
to manage pests under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The
Large areas of the South Island are at risk from rabbits.
councils achieve these responsibilities through:
Approximately 380,000 hectares of land are considered
ʭ local regulation (for example, regional pest
extremely rabbit prone, and about 630,000 hectares
management plans)
are considered highly rabbit prone. Most of this land
is in Otago, Canterbury, and Marlborough.7 In 2014,
ʭ incentive and education schemes
1080 was aerially applied for rabbit control over
ʭ direct (regional council-managed) control.
approximately 2,220 hectares, a reduction of more
than 5,000 hectares from 2013.
Where regional councils directly control animal pests,
they use a combination of ground control methods and
Land managers such as foresters also use a
aerial application of 1080. This control reduces the impact
combination of ground control methods and aerial
of browsing, competition, and predation by possums,
application of 1080 to reduce the impact of browsing
and protects threatened species from other pests.
by possums in indigenous and production forests.
6 See www.ecan.govt.nz/advice/your-land/plant-animal-pests/managing-animal-pests/pages/rabbits.aspx.
7 Lough, RS, 2009.
The Current State of Rabbit Management in New Zealand. MAF Biosecurity Contract Report, Wellington.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Application information
Similarly, an area under sustained management to
The pest management cycle for an area under
minimise the consequences of mast-driven pest
sustained management can span several years. The
plagues may be treated only infrequently, but
management cycle could see parts of the larger
individual treatments could occur close together. The
area treated in rotation or some parts treated more
annual treatment programme varies for each agency.
frequently than others, or years with no treatment.
Table 1 shows treatment areas for different land
For example, some parts of an area under sustained
managers from 2008 to 2014. Apart from 2014,
management may be treated by aerial application on
it shows that the area of land treated by aerial
a five to seven-year cycle, while other parts of the area
application of 1080 has been reasonably consistent
may be covered annually by ground control methods.
since 2008, when monitoring began.
TABLE 1: Aerial 1080 treatment area
REGIONAL
OTHER LAND MANAGERS
TBFREE
DOC
COUNCILS
RABBIT
POSSUM
TOTAL AREA
YEAR
NO OF OPERATIONS
(OOO HECTARES)
2008
75
425
107
5
14
13
564
2009
64
314
167
17
17
–
515
2010
45
254
171
5
9
–
439
2011
49
3441
127
5
10
5
491
2012
48
2792
136
53
12
–
432
2013
57
298
126
16
7
–
448
2014
58
307
6454
12
2
–
967
A dash (-) signifies that no operations were reported.
Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand hectares.
1 Includes combined TBfree and DOC operations of 31,500 hectares.
2 Includes combined TBfree and regional council operations of 27,084 hectares.
3 Includes combined council-led and DOC co-funded operations of 2,428 hectares.
4 Includes a joint TBfree and DOC operation of 5,629 hectares.
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On average, TBfree conducts aerial 1080 operations
over a considerably larger total area and aerially
applies more 1080 than any other user. In most years,
TBfree’s aerial treatment accounts for more than half of
the total land treated with aerially applied 1080.
While TBfree is generally the largest user of 1080,
the amount of land to which 1080 has been aerially
applied over the past five years represents only
3 percent of TBfree’s total pest control area of
approximately 10 million hectares. This is because a
significant proportion of the TB-related pest control
area is on or near farmland, with aerial 1080 used
mostly in remote fringe areas.
By comparison, a significant proportion of DOC’s
pest control occurs in more difficult forested terrain.
However, only a small proportion of DOC land is
managed for small mammal pests and not all of its
pest control is carried out using 1080. For this reason,
the proportion of DOC land managed with aerial 1080
is also small. Before the Battle for our Birds programme,
only about 9.5 percent of the total area managed
by DOC was included in a sustained possum control
programme that relied on aerial application of 1080.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Aerial pest control operations
Under the controls for 1080, operational managers
Post-operational reports
are required to submit information after an aerial 1080
Operation management
operation. The information must include:
The EPA received reports for 58 aerial 1080
ʭ who undertook the operation and why
operations in the 2014 calendar year, covering
ʭ the 1080 formulations used and application rates
approximately 967,012 hectares. Most of this area
was treated by DOC (67 percent) and TBfree (32
ʭ the location and size of the operation
percent). The remaining area was treated for rabbit,
ʭ monitoring information, including:
possum, and wallaby control by regional councils
and other land managers.
• water monitoring, if carried out in conjunction
with the operation
The reported operations included:
• species monitoring, if carried out in conjunction
ʭ 20 funded by TBfree
with the operation
ʭ one jointly undertaken by DOC and TBfree
ʭ an assessment of the operation’s outcomes
ʭ 30 funded by DOC
ʭ an overview of the communication activities
ʭ two funded by a regional council
(consultation and notification), and outcomes from
that communication
ʭ five funded by other land managers for rabbit
control.
ʭ an overview of any incidents and complaints
related to the operation, and actions resulting from
There were a similar number of operations in
those incidents and complaints
2014 as in 2013. However, in 2014 the treatment
area of 967,012 hectares was significantly larger,
ʭ a map of the operational area.
due to DOC’s Battle for our Birds programme
Individual post-operational reports are available on the
(compared with the 448,210 hectares treated with
EPA website:
www.epa.govt.nz.
aerially applied 1080 in 2013). TBfree’s aerial 1080
operation numbers decreased from 26 in 2013,
while DOC operations increased from 12 in 2013.8
Both organisations reported controlling a higher
percentage of their total treatment areas using
aerial application of 1080. This difference reflects the
stage of the treatment cycle for each organisation
and the Battle for our Birds programme to combat
the beech mast.
8 The operations include a joint TBfree New Zealand and DOC operation.
11
Formulations and application rates of 1080
Location of operations
All of the aerial operations to control possums,
The number of aerial 1080 operations in each region
rodents, or both, used 1080-laced cereal baits with
and the sectors using 1080 varies according to the
a 1080 concentration of 1.5 grams per kilogram of
purpose of the operation, topography, and land cover.
bait. Cereal baits coated with deer repellent were
The regions with the largest number of aerial 1080
used in 18 of the 52 possum and/or rodent control
operations were the West Coast, with 11; Tasman,
operations. Carrot baits were not used in any
with nine; and Southland and Otago, with seven
possum control aerial operation in 2014.
each. On the West Coast, which has 37 percent
All reported rabbit control operations used carrot
coverage of indigenous forest, TB is widespread
baits laced with 1080 at the rate of 0.2 grams per
in possums and aerial application of 1080 is
kilogram of bait. The different concentration rates
considered a key tool in possum and rodent control
of 1080 for rabbit and possum bait is due to the
programmes. In Otago, most aerial 1080 operations
difference in toxin susceptibility between the species.
are for rabbit control. DOC’s Battle for our Birds
programme also affected regional numbers of
Bait application rates for possum and rodent control
operations for 2014.
operations varied between 0.33 and 2 kilograms
of bait per hectare. Rates for rabbit control varied
Size of operations
between 10 and 30 kilograms of bait per hectare.
The total land area of 1080 aerial application in 2014
The difference in application rates reflects the
was 967,012 hectares. The average size of aerial
variance in pest numbers and feeding patterns
application was 16,672 hectares, with the largest
between target species.
application covering just over 78,000 hectares and
Despite the differences in toxic concentrations
the smallest covering 170 hectares. This represents
and application rates, the average application
bigger operations than in previous years, with many
rate of 1080 was slightly lower than in previous
DOC operations increased as part of the Battle for our
years for both rabbit and possum, and/or rodent
Birds programme. DoC and TBfree mostly carry out
control operations. The average application rate
aerial 1080 operations to control possums and other
was approximately 2.45 grams of 1080 per hectare
predators over larger tracts of land more efficiently
for possum control and 4.3 grams per hectare for
than is possible using ground control methods.
rabbits. Both application rates are significantly
Bigger operations can increase the time for pest
below the maximum allowable rate of 30 grams of
numbers to rebuild, as it takes longer for pests to
1080 per hectare.
migrate into the heart of treated areas. The average
size of aerial 1080 applications was 20,818 hectares for
DOC and 15,367 hectares for TBfree. By comparison,
the average size of aerial 1080 rabbit control
operations by other land managers was 444 hectares.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Figure 1 shows the area of aerial application by
Communication
region for all users. The largest area of application
Good communication can reduce public concern and
was in the West Coast, followed by Tasman.
result in fewer incidents. The EPA expects operators to
carry out consultation with and to notify neighbours,
Figure 1: Total area (hectares) of aerial 1080
affected groups, and communities to an extent that is
applications in each region
appropriate for each operation.
300,000
Consultation with iwi/Māori
250,000
The
Aerial Applications Report (2014) written by Ngā
Kaihautū, covering the aerial application of pesticides
200,000
including 1080 (as advised to the EPA), notes that
150,000
potential concerns to Māori include risks to traditional
Total area ha
food sources that are non-target species (including
100,000
taonga species such as eels, inanga, watercress, pūhā)
50,000
and the risks of residue and run-off into waterways. For
0
example, the potential impacts on mahinga kai and on
taonga aquatic species do not provide for the Treaty of
Nelson
Otago
Taranaki
Tasman
Waikato
Waitangi principle of “active protection” of taonga species.
Canterbury
Northland
Southland
Hawkes Bay
/Wanganui
Wellington
West Coast
u
Marlborough
The
Communications Guideline for Aerial 1080 Operations (2009) states that Māori groups should be engaged
Manawat
as early as possible in the planning process when an
aerial 1080 operation may be carried out on public
land or in an area where the public may be affected
by the application. Māori should also be engaged
in discussions, with the aim of establishing a good
relationship with relevant hapū and iwi.
In 2014, Māori stakeholders were consulted in 92 percent
(49 of 53) of the aerial operations on public land. This is
a slight decrease in Māori consultation compared with
2013, when 39 of 40 operations on public land (97.5
percent) specifically involved consultation with Māori.
Changes as a result of consultation with Māori occurred
in one operation, involving the exclusion of alpine tarns in
a settlement area.
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Consultation with hunting groups
Communications guideline for aerial 1080
Hunting groups are generally consulted when an aerial
operations
1080 operation is to be carried out on public land
Operators must consult before applying for permission
where hunting could be affected. Early engagement
to use 1080, and provide evidence of consultation in
with these groups is especially important in recreational
their application. Before granting permission for an
hunting areas9 and where animals are commercially
aerial 1080 operation, Public Health Units (PHU) assess
harvested for meat. Hunting groups were consulted in
the consultation carried against the
Communications
83 percent (44 of 53) of the operations on public land
Guideline for Aerial 1080 Operations.10 The Ministry of
in 2014. This is an increase from the rate of 63 percent
Health (MoH) reports the results of these assessments
reported in 2013, when 25 of 40 operations reported
to the EPA.
consultation with hunting groups.
MoH reported that 77 of the 80 applications for
Changes to operations as a result of consultation
permissions for aerial 1080 operations assessed against
the communications guideline met the requirements in
Changes to operations as a result of consultation are
2014. The remaining three required more consultation
considered an indicator of whether the consultation
to meet the standard before permission was issued. No
was effective. In 2014, 29 post-operational reports
permissions were declined.
identified one or more changes to the operational plan
as a result of consultation:
Not all of the 80 applications for 1080 operations
assessed by the MoH resulted in completed operations,
ʭ Boundary changes were reported for 24 operations.
because of weather and other site-specific conditions.
ʭ Four operations with boundary changes resulting
from consultation were due to the exclusion of
sensitive sites (which can include areas like water
catchments and places of ecological concern such
as kea habitat).
ʭ Six operations changed the timing of the
application to allow stock rotation or hunting.
ʭ Eleven operations changed from aerial to ground
application of 1080 for parts of the operation.
ʭ Three operations added deer repellent.
9 The eight recreational hunting areas are North Pureora Conservation Park, Kaimanawa, Kaweka, Haurangi, Lake Sumner, Mt
Oxford and Mt Thomas, Greenstone/Caples beside Lake Wakatipu, and Blue Mountains.
10 Available on the EPA website: www.epa.govt.nz.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Monitoring
and all were below the human health TEL. Operators
Water monitoring
and regulatory bodies are likely to continue to test
water to verify that specific operations pose no risk to
If an aerial 1080 operation is within the catchment of
water supplies.
a drinking water supply, the local PHU may require
water monitoring before intakes are reconnected.
Species monitoring
This ensures drinking water does not contain 1080
Plant and animal species are monitored to determine
residues that breach the tolerable exposure limit
the need for pest control operations and the success
(TEL) of 3.5 micrograms of 1080 per litre of water. The
of operations. Species monitoring is not a mandatory
TEL water value is based on the Provisional Maximum
requirement for 1080 operations, but where
Acceptable Value (PMAV) in drinking water (
Drinking-
monitoring is carried out operators must report the
water Standards for New Zealand, 2005, MoH). The TEL
results to the EPA.
is set at a level that protects human health.
Water monitoring may also be required in other water
Pre-operational monitoring of pest species was carried
catchments as part of environmental monitoring
out for 39 (67 percent) of the aerial 1080 operations
for resource consents or for research purposes. It
undertaken in 2014. All five rabbit control operations
may also be used to provide evidence where PHUs
were monitored before aerial operations, while 14
are investigating concerns about alleged water
DOC operations, 19 TBfree operations, and one council
contamination.
operation undertook pre-operational monitoring of
pest species.
Post-operational water monitoring was carried out
for 23 of the aerial 1080 operations in 2014, with
Post-operational monitoring of pest species was carried
106 samples taken. The tests can detect down to
out on 39 (67 percent) of the aerial 1080 operations in
0.1 micrograms of 1080 per litre of water. Of the 106
2014. The operators reported meeting or partly meeting
samples, only five detected 1080 above the level of
their stated target for pest control.11 Six operations have
detection. All five were well below the TEL.
ongoing monitoring.
Last year, we reported that 1080 had never been
In 17 operations, species that benefit from 1080
detected in water supply catchments. This statement
operations were monitored for the effects of 1080.
was incorrect. As we have stated in previous reports,
These species included kea, kaka, tomtits, native trees,
1080 has been detected in water supply catchments,
and native snails. This type of research is generally
on two occasions at levels well below the tolerable
carried out over several years so that trends can be
exposure limit (TEL).
identified in populations of native species following
Since the reassessment in 2008, more than 530 water
pest control operations.
samples from drinking water catchments and other
water bodies have been analysed for 1080. Of these
samples, 15 were above the method detection limit
11 Target results vary according to monitoring method and are included in post-operation reports on the EPA website:
www.epa.govt.nz.
15
Incidents and public concerns
public, enforcement agencies, and media. Since that
The EPA is advised of complaints, incidents, and
time, most complaints and incidents have been self-
activities associated with 1080 use in three ways:
reported by operators.
ʭ the public registering concern – when an individual
Overview of incidents and public concerns
contacts us to express concern about a particular
There were 18 incidents, objections, or concerns
1080 operation or related practice
reported to the EPA in 2014 (see Figure 2). Most of the
reported incidents and concerns were from operators
ʭ incident reporting – when an operator or agency
and funding agencies rather than members of the
contacts us to express concern about a particular
public. Since 2010, there has been an overall increase
1080 operation or related practices
in the number of operations, although it is still below
ʭ media monitoring – when we learn through our
the peak number in 2008. Despite the increase in
media monitoring service about incidents or
operations, incidents have continued to decrease.
concerns reported in the news.
Incidents involving 1080 are defined as any breach of a
Incidents related to specific operations are described
HSNO or Resource Management Act (RMA) condition,
in post-operational reports. The reports for operations
any event resulting in an increased risk to public, worker,
undertaken in 2014 are available on the EPA website:
and environmental safety, and any event that causes
www.epa.govt.nz.
significant public risk. The total number of reported
Since 2008, industry and enforcement practices have
incidents may include incidents that are not related to
improved, and operators are now subject to greater
the hazardous substances legislation.
accountability when conducting aerial 1080 operations.
For example, the way in which permissions are granted
Figure 2: Incidents and public concerns reported to
the EPA1
has been improved through clearer conditions of
permissions and better mapping of boundaries and
80
exclusion zones. Industry has also developed standard
70
operating procedures, which give clearer direction to
60
operators about compliance requirements.
50
Enforcement and funding agencies have increased their
40
resources for responding to public concerns, auditing
30
against controls, permission conditions, and standard
20
operating procedures. This has led to improved
10
responses to complaints and incidents, as well as
0
improved detection of breaches.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
No. of operartions
Total incidents
There has been a significant change in the way the
Operator breach
Public breach
EPA is advised of incidents and complaints. In 2008 and
2009, the majority of incidents were reported by the
1 The total number of reported incidents and public
concerns for specific operations may be greater than
the combined breaches shown. Not all investigations
revealed breaches.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
The number of breaches12 by operators remains low.
Operator breaches
There were 11 breaches reported in 2008, three in
There were six breaches of HSNO controls by operators
2009, six in 2010, 12 in 2011, five in 2012, eight in 2013,
in 2014.
and six in 2014.
ʭ Two breaches related to an incident where a
All incidents reported in 2014 were investigated.
malfunction with a Global Positional System (GPS)
ʭ One incident was due to probable public
unit or poor satellite coverage and difficult terrain
interference.
resulted in bait being applied outside the permitted
area. There was no public health risk as a result of
ʭ Two incidents involved public trespass.
this incident.
ʭ One incident involved a complaint from a fishing
ʭ One breach was due to the operator flying over an
party who were unaware they had been flown into
exclusion zone, but no bait was being applied at
the operational area.
the time.
ʭ One incident involved a threat made to operation
ʭ Two breaches were due to a failure to submit
staff.
a post-operation report within the six-month
ʭ Three incidents were not related to breaches of
deadline (under the controls of use for 1080, any
HSNO controls.
person who applies or engages another person to
apply 1080 by aerial application must, no later than
ʭ Five dog deaths were due to people allowing dogs
six months after the operation, provide a written
into 1080 drop zones (with one incident involving
report to the EPA).
two dogs).
ʭ One breach was due to failure to notify the local
PHU of an incident.
12 A breach is a non-compliance with HSNO controls or other legal requirements.
17
Incident summaries
HAWKE’S BAY
This section contains information about the aerial 1080
There was one operator breach of HSNO controls and one
incidents, objections, and compliance issues reported
incident involving two dog deaths.
to the EPA in 2014 (by region, north to south).
Operation: Waipunga
WAIKATO
Type: Dog deaths
There was one HSNO incident, one non-HSNO incident,
Date occurred: October 2014
and one report of by-kill.
A hunter went into Tataraakina Trust land to hunt and
travelled further north into an area of DOC land where
Operation: Whareorino
1080 had been applied. As a result, two of his dogs
Type: Non-HSNO incident
died. He conceded there had been an information
Date occurred: June 2014
board / warning sign at the main entrance to the trust
Cattle broke through a fence and got into the
land at Tarawera, and he had known that 1080 work
Whareorino aerial 1080 block. After they were removed
was happening on the northern boundary. The hunter
from the area, two of the cattle died. Waikato Regional
had travelled into the block in darkness and didn’t
Council investigated, but test results did not detect the
see the information board until he came out, after the
presence of 1080 in the cattle. However, because the
dogs died. He said he thought the 1080 was further
cattle had found their way into the 1080 operational
to the east, in the private blocks of Pohokura and
area and other potential toxins such as tutu were ruled
Ngatapa only. Signage was still in place along SH5 at
out, it was considered strongly likely that individual
the time. No further action is required by the PHU.
cattle had been exposed to 1080 poison. The council
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
found that all other aspects of the operation were
Date occurred: July 2015
compliant, and neither the operator nor the owner of
the cattle were at fault. No further action was taken.
The operator failed to submit a post-operation report
to the EPA within the six-month time limit.
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
Date occurred: July 2015
The operator failed to submit a post-operation report
to the EPA within the six-month time limit.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
WELLINGTON
a result of the findings, the consent authority issued a
There was one incident involving the death of a dog.
technical advisory to all aerial operators. The local PHU
was notified and also undertook an investigation. A
Operation: Aorangi
combination of poor satellite coverage and geometry,
exacerbated by adverse terrain at a “critical time”
Type: Dog death
appears to have been the cause of the 1080 bait being
Date occurred: August 2014
applied outside the operational area.
A dog died because bait was outside the project
application area, although within the statutory
Operation: Oparara Kahurangi National Park
consented area. Investigation identified that bait could
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
not have been put there by the aerial application,
Date occurred: July 2014
due to its distance from the flight path. Flight paths
were also reviewed, and it was determined that there
A helicopter flew over an exclusion zone when flying
had been no over-flight. It is unlikely that the bait
to other parts of the block, but was not dispersing bait.
came from the helicopter. No further evidence could
The area was checked as a precaution but no bait was
be obtained about how bait got to the location. The
found.
incident was notified to the PHU and no further action
WEST COAST
was taken.
There was one complaint, one public trespass, and one
TASMAN
non-HSNO incident.
There were two operator breaches of HSNO controls and
Operation: Mokihinui
one public trespass.
Type: Complaint
Operation: Te Maruia
Date occurred: December 2014
Type: Public trespass
A fishing party on Conservation Estate in the
Date occurred: October 2014
Mokihinui Valley encountered 1080 pellets and
An unauthorised person was observed on the fringe
saw helicopters with buckets flying in the area.
of the loading site during loading operations. The
The party was unaware of the operation and had
person was approached and directed to move away.
been helicoptered into the area for a day’s fishing.
Discussion revealed that he just had an interest in
It is likely that the party was within the permitted
helicopters. No further issues occurred at the site.
operational boundary for the Mokihinui aerial
operation. However, no bait was applied over the
Operation: Locket Range
fishing party and it left the area. Enquiries confirmed
that known DOC concessionaires had been notified
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
of the operation, but the association to which the
Date occurred: July 2014
fishing party belonged had been inadvertently left
Several baits were found outside the consented
off the list of concession holders provided to TBfree.
boundary. The area was inspected for several days
The local PHU was notified and investigated the
afterwards to ensure all bait was recovered. The
matter, but no further action was taken.
contractor undertook an internal investigation and, as
19
OTAGO
Operation: Abby Rocks
There was one operator breach of HSNO controls.
Type: Non-HNSO incident
Date occurred: November 2014
Operation: South Peak
The carcass of a kea was recovered and radio
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
transmitters confirmed that the bird had died on the
Date occurred: June 2014
first day following the 1080 operation. The cause of
death was diagnosed by a pathologist as “presumptive
Cereal 1080 baits were misapplied outside the aerial
1080 poisoning”. The kea was one of 21 within the
consent boundary. The cause appears to have been
treatment area that was being studied to assess the
GPS malfunction. The pilot was at first unaware of
impact of such operations on kea. The remaining 20
the issue, but once he realised the GPS had frozen he
kea within the treatment area and a further 12 kea in
shut off the bucket. Six baits were found outside the
an adjacent non-treatment site were not affected by
consented area. The PHU was notified and investigated
the operation.
the matter. No further action was taken.
SOUTHLAND
Operation: Kaiata Range
There was one operator breach of HSNO controls, one
Type: Public trespass
threat, one public breach of HSNO controls, one non-
Date occurred: June 2014
HSNO incident, and two dog deaths.
Two people were concerned they had a near-miss
after finding three 1080 pellets near their vehicle. The
Operation: Iris Burn
incident was notified to the PHU, which investigated
Type: Threat
the matter and found there had been clear signage
Date occurred: August 2014
in the approach to the area, both at the entrance
An anonymous letter was received prior to the
to Maori Gully Road and within 300 metres of the
operation, declaring war on those involved. The letter
entrance to the track where the incident took place.
was referred to the Police.
The forestry track was part of the toxic bait aerial
drop zone. This area is privately owned and a permit
Type: Public breach of HSNO controls
is needed to enter. No permit had been issued to
Date occurred: August 2014
the two people involved in the incident. However,
it is likely they were unaware the land was privately
Following a phone call, a 1080 bait and possum
owned, as there was no signage to indicate this.
carcasses were found in areas where no bait had
been laid. The matter was referred to the MoH and
Police. It is likely that the bait and carcasses had been
deliberately placed.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
Operation: Catlins
Type: Dog death
Type: Operator breach of HSNO controls
Date occurred: June 2014
Date occurred: November 2014
An adjoining landowner observed a dog belonging
A member of the public found bait on the road at
to a third party wandering unaccompanied along an
the beginning of the Franks Stream entrance. It was
excluded road bisecting the treatment area. Aware
dealt with immediately by Owaka rangers. This road
that a 1080 operation had recently taken place, the
had been cleared of bait twice before and was within
landowner secured the dog and later observed it
the treatment area. The PHU was satisfied with the
was showing signs of having been poisoned. The
action taken by DOC to check roads and tracks within
dog died shortly afterwards. The control contractor
the permitted area. However, DOC initially failed to
was told about the incident, and the owner of the
notify the PHU about the incident, as required by the
dog was located. The dog owner (also an adjoining
permission issued.
landowner) stated that the dog had been unsecured
and had most likely followed a vehicle when it left
Operation: Cascade Hope
the property earlier. It is assumed that the dog came
into contact with bait and/or carcasses while roaming
Type: Non-HSNO (RMA) incident
unaccompanied over a three-hour period. The dog
Date occurred: May 2014
owner had been notified by telephone that the
A small spillage involving 10 kilograms of bait, entirely
operation was starting, and had observed warning
within the aircraft loading zone, was cleaned up by the
signs and received dog muzzles and emetic pills
contractor and DOC staff. Following close examination
delivered by the control contractor prior to the drop.
of the sowing data/map in the days following the
operation, it was identified that in a few minor cases
bait had been laid between 4 metres and in one case
42 metres outside the RMA boundary, but within the
boundary in the permission issued by the PHU.
Operation: Hokonui Hills
Type: Dog death
Date occurred: May 2014
A TBfree contractor’s dog ate a 1080 pellet while with
the owner checking a trap line. The dog was taken for
veterinary treatment, but later exhibited signs of 1080
poisoning and the owner decided to put it down. The
contractor accepted fault for the dog’s death.
21
Research
In 2007, ERMA released its decision on the
delivery methods. Work has been done to improve the
reassessment of 1080. It stressed the need for more
targeting of pests and impacts on pest populations
research into alternative methods of pest control and
and their recovery after 1080 drops, to improve welfare
sought government support to develop a research
impacts on pest species. Work has also been done
programme.
on assessing and reducing impacts on non-target
species, especially looking at the ecological outcomes
This section summarises research relating to 1080
for native birds such as kea and tomtits. While some
use up to July 2015. There are three distinct areas:
of these projects have already been completed, with
alternatives to the use of 1080, improvements to the
reports and papers submitted and/or published,
use of 1080, and other research related to 1080 use.
others are still active and their completion is expected
Many of the research projects are ongoing, as
in 2016 and 2017.
collection of data over an extended period is needed
to deliver well-informed conclusions. The research
New research
has been funded and/or carried out by DOC, TBfree,
Commercial manufacturing of encapsulated 1080 bait
Connovation Ltd, Landcare Research, and the Ministry
Reference: R-10723-03
for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Contracted by TBfree and carried out by Landcare
Alternatives to the use of 1080
Research.
A number of projects have been conducted and
A new project is looking to determine the feasibility
concluded (with papers published) in the past few
and cost of commercially manufacturing cereal 1080
years. Research into alternative toxins has focused
bait with an encapsulated additive and, if feasible,
on extending the application of toxins already in
assess its efficacy against possums and rats and its
use in New Zealand such as Cholecalciferol (Kolee),
acceptance and palatability.
diphacinone, coumatetralyl, feratox (to include the
Other 1080 research
control of Bennett’s wallabies), and zinc phosphide.
The research has also considered the use of new toxins
Several projects have focused on strategic
like sodium nitrate, humane red blood cell toxins, and
considerations such as the palatability and efficacy
a mixture of coumetralyl and cholecalciferol (C+C), and
of baits held in storage, research into small mammal
their possible role in reducing secondary poisoning
control, strategic technologies for multi-species
and non-target risk.
control, and the effectiveness of alternative strategies
to control bovine tuberculosis. More recent studies
No new research projects have been started on
have centred on the fate of 1080 in soil and potential
these topics.
impacts on water quality, and the effects of mast for a
Improvements in the use of 1080
number of ecosystems.
Research studies in this field have sought, assessed,
and developed different strategies in order to optimise
cost-effectiveness in the use of 1080 baits and their
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
New research
100% possum kill
Publication on the by-kill of birds
Reference: R-10776-01
Reference: R-10780
Contracted by TBfree and carried out by Landcare
Contracted by TBfree and carried out by Landcare
Research
Research
This project aims to provide TBfree with updated best-
The objective of this project was to publish
practice recommendations by June 2016 for aerial
observational data suggesting relatively low mortality
1080 operations that consistently achieve 98 percent
of native birds during modern aerial 1080 operations.
or more possum killings by:
A draft paper was submitted to the
New Zealand
ʭ determining why some possums survive 1080
Journal of Ecology. The results were presented at the
baiting
Ecological Society Conference in November 2015.
ʭ determining whether micro-encapsulated 1080 can
Population dynamics of native wildlife and effects
overcome surviving possums’ failure to eat a lethal
of 1080
quantity of baits
Reference: R-80734
ʭ determining whether using two applications
Contracted by TBfree and carried out by DOC
of both pre-feed and/or toxic bait consistently
achieves 98 percent or more killings
In this long-term study, bird and pest populations are
being measured before and after two applications
ʭ determining the cost-effectiveness of these
of aerial 1080 at three forested sites (Tararua Range,
options.
Marlborough Sounds, and South Westland). Each of
Efficacy of serial 1080 stoat control
the aerial 1080 sites is matched with a non-treatment
site in order to:
Reference: R-80794
ʭ quantify changes in bird abundance and in adult
Contracted by TBfree and carried out by DOC
female survival and productivity at a pair of sites
The main objectives of this project are to:
in each forest, to compare treated and untreated
ʭ measure the by-kill of stoats in forests and alpine
block
zones in which there are widespread mice and few
ʭ quantify changes in possum, rat, and stoat
or no rats at the time of a 1080 operation
densities indexed by traps and tracks in treated and
ʭ assess the abundance of stoats in a selection of
untreated blocks and relate to time since poisoning
untreated forests, both with abundant rats and with
ʭ model the potential for refinement of the scale,
abundant mice but few rats
timing, and frequency of aerial 1080 use in order
ʭ measure the effect of the Battle for our Birds
to minimise costs and maximise benefits to native
programme’s aerial 1080 operations on the 2015
species, based on the results.
stoat plague, with respect to the abundance of
rodents and the extent of the treated area.
23
For more information about the above research projects, see:
ʭ TBfree New Zealand:
www.tbfree.org.nz/research-papers.aspx
ʭ Department of Conservation:
www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/science-publications/ www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/managing-threats/
ʭ Connovation Lt
d: www.connovation.co.nz
ʭ Landcare Resear
ch: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/vertebrate-pests
25
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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AERIAL USE OF 1080 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
