1080 in Victoria

The species targeted with 1080 poison in Victoria 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.

Depending on the target species, a range of bait materials are used in Victoria.

Carnivores, like dingoes, cats and foxes, are targeted with meat baits and are often kangaroo flesh or offal from abattoirs. Other material used to target carnivores include bird eggs injected with a liquid solution of 1080 poison.

Herbivores, like rabbits, are targeted with poisoned grain or carrots. As omnivores, pigs are targeted with a range of bait materials. These can include meat or grains

In Victoria, baits are either “shelf-stable” or “perishable”. “Shelf-stable” baits include dried meat or oat baits. These baits are used to kill dingoes, foxes, rabbits or pigs. “Perishable” baits are fresh baits that must be laid within 3 days from when they were manufactured. These can be meat or carrots.

Canid Pest Ejectors, or ‘CPEs’, are also used in Victoria. Learn more about CPEs in the Glossary section of this website.

1080 baiting targeting foxes in Victoria is usually undertaken in late winter (June–August) and autumn (March–May).

These are considered the most effective times to bait because they are before breeding and when young cubs are being reared.

Under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992, all users of 1080 poison in Victoria must comply with the Direction for Use of 1080 and PAPP unless they have a permit issued by Agriculture Victoria or the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (‘APVMA’).

This document sets out a number of requirements, including:

• the completion of a “pre-use risk assessment”

• requirements relating to the purchase, transport and storage of 1080 poison

• requirements relating to notifying neighbours

• requirements relating to the display of warning signs

• requirements relating to managing non-target impacts and reporting of incidents involving the poisoning of non-target animals

• distance requirements and restrictions

• disposing of 1080 products and poisoning carcasses

• safety directions relating to occupational health and safety

• record keeping requirements.

People who use 1080 poison in Victoria must be authorised or be directly supervised by someone who is authorised.

Notifying neighbours

Victorians who use 1080 poison must notify all adjoining neighbours at least 72 hours before using 1080 baits. This notification must specify:

• the dates between which baiting will occur

• the location of where baits will be laid

• a contact number

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

Users of 1080 poison in Victoria must keep a record of neighbour notifications and keep these records for two years.

Warning signs

Signs warning that 1080 baits have been laid must be displayed on all lands where 1080 poison is used.

Warning signs must:

• display the word ‘warning’ or ‘poison’

• state that domestic animals and pets may be poisoned

• state the target species

• state the type of poison used (e.g., 1080 or PAPP)

• state the dates that baits will be used

• provide a contact telephone number for either the owner/manager of the land on which the baits are being used or the person responsible for laying the baits.

In Victoria, signs must remain in place for four weeks after a 1080 baiting program has been completed.

Have you seen a warning sign in Victoria? Let us know.

Yes.

In 2014, the Australian Government provided conditional approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to conduct aerial baiting.

It is undertaken in a 3km buffer on public land in areas of Gippsland and North East Victoria. Approval has been granted at these sites until December 2023.

Areas in East Gippsland include:

• Angora and Cobungra

• Bindi

• Wonnangatta and Punchen Budweid

Areas in the North East include:

• Burrowa

• Bullhead

• Wabba.

Between 10 and 11 May 2022, the Victorian Government baited over 420km of these areas with over 3700 baits.

No.

Though dingoes are listed as a threatened species in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and are protected on most public land under the Wildlife Act 1975, “wild dogs” are “pest animals” and can be legally killed in Victoria.

In addition, an Order in Council was made under the Wildlife Act 1975 on the 1 October 2010 to “unprotect” dingoes in areas where they allegedly threaten farmed animals. This Order removes their protection on all private land, on public land within 3km of any private land boundary and on public land within 3km of a perpetual lease property across parts of the north-west and east of Victoria.

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.

Despite the known threat of secondary poisoning, collecting untaken baits and toxic carcasses is not a legal requirement in Victoria.

Instead, recovering untaken baits is only required “to the extent possible” and users must only take “all reasonable steps” to recover poisoned carcasses.

If you suspect a pet died from 1080 poisoning in Victoria, 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.

• Gayle Tierney - Minister for Agriculture
  (03) 5224 2088 | gayle.tierney@parliament.vic.gov.au

• Lily D’Ambrosio - Minister for Environment and Climate Action
  (03) 9637 9504 | lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 sets out controls for using chemicals and poisons.

• Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 is the main legislation governing the management of unwanted wildlife in Victoria. Wildlife can be declared “established pest animals” under this Act.

• Environment Protection Act 2017 sets a duty of care not to pollute air or waterways, including when using poisons or pesticides.

• Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 sets out procedures for the conservation, management and control of flora and fauna.

• Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 provides powers to impound “trespassing, wandering or abandoned livestock”. It can be used when dealing with “pest” animals, such as wild pigs, who could be considered to be doing so.

• Local Government Act 1989 allows local governments to develop laws relating to “pest” animal management.

• National Parks Act 1975 sets out responsibilities for “pest” animal control in Victorian National Parks

• Parks Victoria Act 2018 establishes Parks Victoria as a corporate body not representing the State Government but a chief executive officer who has responsibilities under the National Parks Act 1975.

• Planning and Environment Act 1987 establishes a land management framework that includes the removal of trees or vegetation due to “pest” animal control activities.

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 makes it an offence to intentionally administer poison or lay baits for animals other than activities permitted under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 or the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1982. Note that Victoria is currently reforming this Act.

• Wildlife Act 1975 provides permits or authorisations that allow a person to destroy and control wildlife

• National Parks Regulations 2013 permits Authorised Officers to seize or destroy “animals found at large” and allows the use of poisons with authorisation.

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 contains provisions that allow the use of lethal trap devices with approval. These traps typically use PAPP.

• Wildlife Regulations 2013 contains provisions that prohibit the poisoning of animals unless they are licensed or authorised under the Wildlife Act 1975.

• Directions for Use of 1080 and PAPP Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria - Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (2018)