4.4 Controls on the use of 1080
All aspects of the manufacture and use of 1080 in New Zealand are tightly controlled through legislation, regulations and operating procedures.
Controls over operators
The legislation governing the use of 1080 prior to July 2001 was the Pesticides Act 1979 and the Pesticides (Vertebrate Pest Control) Regulations 1983. The Pesticides Act has now been repealed by the HSNO Act 1996 but the Regulations will remain in force until the transfer of pesticides to HSNO management is complete. The functions of MAF with respect to pesticides are now the responsibility of the ACVM group of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
This has not changed the requirement that only people with a Vertebrate Pest Control (VPC) Operator's Licence are allowed to use 1080. Holding a 1080 licence allows the licence holder to apply, but not purchase, 1080. The licence is of use only if the holder is employed by a person or organisation that has been approved to be supplied with 1080. Applicants for a licence must be over 18 years of age, satisfy ACVM that they are a fit and proper person to use a controlled pesticide, and pass an examination.
As part of the transfer process, holders of 1080 licences will be required to obtain a HSNO Approved Handler Certificate (the HSNO equivalent of a VPC Operator's Licence) if they wish to continue to be 1080 applicators.
Controls over use
The VPC Regulations set out in detail the restrictions on places and methods of application of 1080. These define the circumstances when written permission is required from the appropriate authority for any use of 1080, the approvals required for aerial operations, and the requirements for public notification of 1080 operations. In particular, permission is required from the Medical Officer of Health for all aerial applications of 1080, for all operations on land to which the public has access, and for operations in proximity to water supply catchments. Regional or unitary authorities may also require a resource consent for 1080 operations, depending on how and where it is being applied.
Procedures and standards for use
Strict codes of practice require that appropriate protective clothing is worn by all those involved in the manufacture or handling of 1080. Standards for the safe handling, transport and disposal of pesticides, including 1080, have been developed to meet the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations.
DOC has a comprehensive set of procedures for "Safe Handling of Pesticides" as part of its Quality Conservation Management system. These procedures meet all the legal requirements, and any user of pesticides working on lands managed by DOC must follow the relevant standard operating procedures. The module details the procedures to be followed by staff, contractors or sub-contractors from the pre-operational phase, to transporting, applying 1080 to carrot bait, using pellet baits, bait stations, hand spread application, aerial operation, post-operational clean-up, disposal, accidents and first aid. Under these procedures, wearing protective equipment such as gloves and overalls is compulsory whenever handling 1080. Respirators and eye protection are also required when handling 1080 in large quantities, such as during aerial operations.
Separate standards and procedures detail the requirements for obtaining consents for all animal pest control operations run by the Department. DOC also requires an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) to be prepared when pesticides are being used for pest control on land managed by DOC, or in DOC operations. These assessments require appropriate information about how potential risks and adverse effects will be managed, including those risks to the public.
For AHB operations, users of 1080 must have in place standard operating procedures that are approved by AHB's regional vector managers. Where AHB operations occur on land administered by DOC, they are subject to DOC's approval, and the processes required for an AEE.
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