1080 dumped on remote part of Stewart Island

Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie says the dumping of 1080 in a remote part of Stewart Island by contractors was reckless, and she is calling for those responsible to face the consequences.

Dowie, who is the National Party spokeswoman for conservation, condemned the 1080 dump.

Department of Conservation acting deputy director-general for operations Reg Kemper said the department also condemned the actions of the contractor who dumped and buried pest control toxin 1080 in a swamp near the mouth of the Rakeahua River on Stewart Island.

‘‘It beggars belief that a qualified professional hired to do pest control would think it is acceptable to dump toxin.’’

The contractor confirmed that three 25kg bags of possum cereal bait containing 1080 were left in a remote back-country area during the five-month ground-baiting operation, Kemper said.

‘‘He has assured us that it is a one-off incident.’’

Dowie said the revelation the poison had been dumped in a national park on Stewart Island needed to be urgently investigated and dealt with.

The reckless dumping of 1080 undermined the work being done to protect and preserve the diverse array of native wildlife on the island, she said.

‘‘We need to know urgently how this was allowed to happen, how it will be prevented in the future and who is going to be held accountable to ensure public trust isn’t further eroded and more wildlife isn’t put in danger.’’

There were strict rules around the disposal of hazardous waste and in this case they had been flouted, and those responsible must face the consequences, Dowie said.

The bait posed no risk to humans, and dilutes and breaks down quickly, Kemper said.

Risks to other wildlife were also low as no native animals would be tempted by the bait in that amount, he said, adding that the bait had been retrieved and the area cleaned up.

The incident had been reported to the Environmental Protection Authority, police, Environment Southland and the Medical Office of Health.

DOC was also investigating what action it could take under its performance contract with the company, Kemper said.

An investigation would determine what legal consequences the contractor may face, he said.

‘‘I am disappointed and angry that the important pest control work carried out by DOC has been undermined by the actions of an individual contractor.’’

All contractors using 1080 have to hold a controlled substance licence and must operate under DOC’s operating procedures relating to the safe handling of pesticides.

The contractor was required to return any unused bait to be destroyed with a certified disposal company.

‘‘We need to know urgently how this was allowed to happen . . .’’ Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie