1080 in the Northern Territory

The species targeted with 1080 poison in the Northern Territory are dingoes, pigs, foxes and rabbits.

Though these are the target species, many others are at risk when 1080 poison is used.

You can learn more about non-target risks and secondary poisoning in the Evidence and Glossary sections of this website.

In order to inject fresh meat baits to target dingoes with 1080 poison in the Northern Territory, users must apply for authorisation from the Chemical Coordinator under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 2004 and obtain a “1080 pest animal management authorisation”.

This involves completing a two-page application and meeting a number of criteria. For example, users must have undergone training and submit a personalised standard operating procedure that will be followed when preparing 1080 baits. Users must also obtain a Permit to Take Protected Wildlife and submit a baiting plan and map of the property the user intends to use 1080 poison on.

In the Northern Territory, baits are allocated based on an annual calculation for each property. The number is specified on the permit. No more than 75% of the allocated baits can be used in a single round unless the user can provide “a good practical reason to do so”. Unless otherwise approved by the Chemicals Coordinator, properties must be at least 40 hectares for a permit to be issued.

Holders of permits and authorisations can authorise other people to lay 1080 baits. These people must have received “reasonable training”. These people may also be authorised to purchase or collect 1080 baits from a licensed reseller or technician.

General requirements

Under the Directions for Use of 1080, permit holders must ensure that only the numbers of authorised baits are prepared and laid for each property each year. Permit holders should also ensure that “a reasonable period of time” occurs between each baiting. The Directions state that this period is “nominally 3 months or as determined”.

Business licences

The Directions state that licensed businesses must only sell 1080 products to permit holders, their authorised nominees or the holder of an injection authorisation who has been authorised by a permit holder to collect them. They must only sell the amount and type of 1080 products specified on the permit and ensure that the total amount does not exceed the annual allocation stipulated on the permit. Businesses selling 1080 products must also maintain records of who they sold 1080 to and produce these records upon request.

Distance requirements

Baits must not be laid within:

• 150m of the users own dwelling

• 3km of a dwelling or a place of habitation, including a Community Living Area, roadside reserve, designated roadside rest stop, truck parking bay, fuel stop or tourist attraction

• 3km of any other public amenity area

• 20m of a permanent or flowing watercourse.

• 500m of a major highway

• 250m of any other public roadway.

For ground baiting, baits must not be laid within 5m of a boundary line that does not adjoin a major highway or public road.

For aerial baiting, baits must not be laid within 50m of a boundary line that does not adjoin a major highway or public road.

Unless otherwise approved by the Chemicals Coordinator, 1080 baiting programs targeting dingoes must not occur within the declared boundaries of an established township.

Notifying neighbours

Permit holders in the Northern Territory must notify neighbouring properties of their intention to use 1080 baits at least 3 days before baiting. This notification can be given by fax, email, hand delivery, telephone or in person.

Notifications must include:

• the name of permit holder

• the name of the property or location where baiting will occur

• the target species

• the date baiting will begin and the expected completion date

• advice that steps should be taken to ensure that domestic dogs do not gain access to the baits or poisoned animals.

Warning signs

Before any baits are laid, the permit holder must erect warning signs on the main property entrance, any other entrance to the property, and any entrance to a community living area on the property. Warning signs must also be erected at adjoining roadside reserves, roadside rest stops, truck parking bays, fuel stops, tourist attractions and any other public amenity area.

The warning signs must include information that:

• 1080 poison is laid in the area

• domestic dogs, pets or other animals may be killed if they eat baits or poisoned animals

• restraint or muzzling is recommended

• identifies target species

• includes the date baits were laid and will be present until

• contains a telephone number of the permit holder.

Warning signs must be removed no less than 4 weeks and no more than 1 year after the baiting program has been completed.

Have you seen a warning sign in the Northern Territory? Let us know.

Aerial 1080 baiting may be considered for large-scale programs in the Northern Territory where ground baiting is considered “impossible or impractical”.

No.

Though dingoes are a protected species in the Northern Territory, permits can be obtained to kill them under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2006.

In the Northern Territory, dingoes are referred to as “wild dogs”.

Baits and poisoned carcasses that are not recovered after the end of a 1080 baiting operation pose threats to dogs, birds and other native wildlife for some time afterwards.

Collecting untaken baits in the Northern Territory is required.

Despite the known threat of secondary poisoning, collecting toxic carcasses is not a legal requirement. Instead, this is only recommended “where possible”.

If you suspect a pet died from 1080 poisoning in the Northern Territory, visit our step-by-step guide.

If you need support, please contact us.

The relevant contact details are provided below.

Simply click the email link to send an email opposing the use of 1080 today.

• Nicole Manison - Minister for Parks and Rangers
  (08) 8999 6795 | minister.manison@nt.gov.au

• Laruen Moss - Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security
  (08) 8999 6343 | minister.moss@nt.gov.au

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 2004 regulates the sale, possession and use of 1080 poison in the Northern Territory.

• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 provides for holders of 1080 bait injection authorisations to receive fees for preparing baits if they hold a licence issued by the Department of Health.

• Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2006 provides for permits to take or interfere with wildlife, including by poisoning with 1080.