1080 rule changes to save $11m

Rules changes will see a nationally co-ordinated approach to dropping 1080 poison in conservation areas, Environment Minister Nick Smith has announced.

The new regulations, approved under the Resource Management Act, would see a uniform set of rules applied for the use of the controversial poison.

‘‘Pests like stoats, rats and possums kill 25 million native birds a year and if we are serious about ensuring the survival of species like kiwi, we need to use effective and efficient poisons like 1080,’’ Smith said.

‘‘This new approach standardises the rules for using such poisons rather than the current system of different rules in different regions,’’ Smith said.

‘‘This change will reduce costs and delays for operators, ensure consistent conditions throughout the country, reduce mistakes from misunderstanding rule differences and allow best practice approaches to be used.’’

The change would not increase risks, Smith said, but it was expected to save $11 million over the next 20 years, ‘‘enabling more pests to be controlled and more species saved’’.

The change was advocated for by the Parliamentary Com- missioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, who was concerned about the duplication and inconsistency of the differing regional rules.

The proposal went out for public consultation with 70 per cent of submissions favouring the change. The new national regulations come into effect on April 1.

Smith made the announcement while visiting the Tiritiri Matangi Sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf as part of National’s annual Bluegreens Forum.

’’I know there is opposition to poisons like 1080 and brodifacoum but they are essential tools to saving New Zealand’s natural heritage.

‘‘Islands like Tiritiri Matangi are only so prolific in birdlife because of the use of these poisons in the past,’’ Smith said.

‘‘These new regulations will help us create more special sanctuaries and contribute to the Government’s goal of a predatorfree NZ by 2050.’’