BEACH POISON FEARS
AN ANIMAL rescue worker fears her daily walks at Avalon Beach could kill her beloved animals if bait signage is not improved.
Sunny Days Rescue and Rehab worker Joanna Sherwell said she was concerned there was only one sign stating the deadly 1080 bait had been laid in the vicinity of Avalon Beach.
The deadly and highly controversial bait is banned in most countries, however, Australia and New Zealand allow it to be laid by authorised people.
The Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick has been behind a long-term push to ban the bait nationwide.
“The party has a policy to ban 1080’s use right across Australia. This is based on (the bait’s) inhumanity,” Mr Meddick said.
“It is one of the cruellest poisons imaginable.”
An Agriculture Department spokesman said 1080 products are registered for the control of rabbits, foxes wild dogs and feral pigs in Victoria.
“Using 1080 to manage pest animals is a means of protecting Victoria’s biodiversity and reducing impacts on farms and catchment health,” the spokesman said yesterday.
“It remains an important tool available for pest control.
“Its use in Australia has been assessed and approved by APVMA and there are controls in place to ensure people on neighbouring properties are advised when it is used.”
1080 users are required to display warning signs at all entry points to land on which pest animal bait products have been laid and all adjoining neighbours must be notified before the program commences.
Ms Sherwell said only one sign was located at the Avalon Beach carpark and there was no clarity about where the bait was located which was both confusing and concerning for visitors.
“I 100 per cent believe 1080 should be banned. It is banned in all other countries except Australia and New Zealand. Why are we still using it?” Ms Sherwell said.
“If a ban comes in a roll-out form there must be other things put in place to protect animals.”
Ms Sherwell said her discovery had put her off walking her dogs at Avalon.
“It is a major risk factor and having 1080 there is destroying the only beach our community has to walk our dogs along,” Ms Sherwell said.