Rise in 1080 cops blast

A TASMANIAN conservation group has slammed the State Government’s continued use of 1080 poison after it was revealed almost 20 more permits had been issued this financial year than in 2016-17.

A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokeswoman confirmed 39 permits had been issued so far this financial year for 1080 baits to be used on browsing animals or pests on agricultural land or natural resources.

The department issued 22 permits in 2016-17 and 39 in the previous year. The final number for 2017-18 will be known when the department receives returns from permit holders.

The spokeswoman said 1080 baits were used to kill bennetts wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons and brushtail possums.

“All three species are abundant across the Tasmanian farming landscape where they damage primary production,” she said. “Use of 1080 baiting allows farmers to manage this damage.”

No permit is required to take rabbits.

Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone slammed the use of 1080 and said his group had been calling for the poison to be banned for 25 years.

“Cruelty to target animals is the main issue, they take hours to die and it's a very prolonged death,” he said. “It shouldn’t be something that happens in a more developed society.”

Mr McGlone added a DPIPWE program also taught landowners how to control pests and browsing animals without 1080.

“It comes down to using fencing and shooting as alternatives,” he said.

The DPIPWE spokeswom- an said that shooting and fencing were used as alternatives to 1080 but the Government was ensuring it remained available for animal control until viable, safe and cost-effective alternatives became available.

Meanwhile, the Upper House has started an inquiry into the Government’s proposed gun law changes, which would give farmers greater access to semi-automatic rifles, self-loading rifles and pumpaction shotguns.

Also, Anglers Alliance Tasmania has investigated the use of 1080 poison on a property near Penstock Lagoon in the Central Highlands last month.

Chairman Gary France said the alliance had spoken to the landowner and was satisfied they had complied with the 1080 baiting protocol.

The code of practice for using 1080 identifies when and where it is appropriate, who is authorised to use it and the manner in which it is used.