ES wait on DOC 1080 report

Environment Southland is waiting on a report from the Department of Conservation before it decides whether it will take any action over the dumping of 1080 in the Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island.

It was reported last week that 1080 had been dumped in the national park by contractor.

About 75kg of 1080 had been found in a swamp close to the Rakeahua River mouth, 30 metres off a public track.

The poison operation on Stewart Island was in what is called the ‘‘Rakeahua possum control block’’ and ran for four months from March to June.

The contractor confirmed that three 25kg bags of possum cereal bait contain- ing 1080 were left in a remote backcountry area during the five-month ground-baiting operation.

Yesterday, a police spokesperson said police were aware of the matter but they were not investigating at this stage. ‘‘DOC are the lead agency and we will work with them as required,’’ the spokesperson said.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said it was awaiting a report from the Department of Conservation about the dumping, which he hoped would be ready this week.

‘‘We need to get that report and see what is in it and then staff will make a recommendation from there.

‘‘I can’t really say much until we get that and I’m reluctant to speculate on a prosecution but we have had a contaminant in a waterway. My understanding is that it has been removed by DOC.’’

Horrell said consents to spread 1080 were issued by central Government, not Environment Southland.

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.

The poison is used by the department in its Battle for the Birds campaign to control predators such as rats, stoats and possums in native forests.

On Friday, department acting deputy director-general for operations Reg Kemper said it condemned the actions of the contractor who dumped and buried the pest control toxin. ‘‘It beggars belief that a qualified professional hired to do pest control would think it is acceptable to dump toxin.’’

The incident has also been reported to the Environmental Protection Authority and the Medical Office of Health.