1080 in Western Australia

Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, landholders are responsible for the control of foxes, dingoes, pigs and rabbits on their properties. The species targeted with 1080 poison in Western Australia are dingoes, pigs, foxes, rabbits and cats.

Western Australia and Queensland are the only states that permit the poisoning of cats with 1080.

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 Western Australia.

1080 is available in Western Australia in four forms:

• a liquid concentrate that is injected into raw meat baits for fox and dingo baiting or mixed with grain for rabbit or pig baiting

• manufactured meat baits for foxes and dingoes

• poisoned oats for rabbits, foxes and dingoes

• capsules used in Canid Pest Ejectors or ‘CPEs’

1080 poison and strychnine are the most common baits used in Western Australia. Before people are allowed to use 1080 poison in Western Australia, they must demonstrate they they understand how to use and manage it properly. They must complete and pass an online course or a written assessment.

1080 baits are only available after the Department of Agriculture and Food grants a permit for their use in Western Australia. Landholders can access baits from licenced retailers or employ a licenced technician to carry out 1080 baiting on their properties. An approved user of 1080 poison in Western Australia is identified on a permit and can only use 1080 baits on a specified area of land. Landholders who have not undertaken training for 1080 can apply for a permit to bait with 1080 poison, but cannot access and use it personally. Only approved users can access and lay poison baits.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has stopped manufacturing and supplying baits, including 1080 baits. These are only available from commercial suppliers. In Western Australia, the agricultural distributor 4Farmers supplies 1080 poison oat baits.

This assessment contains 20 multiple choice and true/false questions. All questions are based on the information in the Landholders Manual published by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014, a Section 72 Notice sets out the conditions and restrictions on the sale and use of 1080 poison in Western Australia. The purpose of these notices are for “safeguarding public health”.

As a Schedule 7 poison, people who use or supply 1080 poison must also comply with the Code of Practice for the use and management of registered pesticides.

Notifying neighbours

Before 1080 baits can be laid in Western Australia, the occupiers of any adjoining properties must be notified at least 3 days before baiting begins. Notification can be made by letter, email, fax, telephone or in person. If the area baited is large, newspapers, radio and television can also be used.

This notification must provide the following information:

• the intention to lay 1080 baits

• the period and location of baiting

• the hazards associated with 1080 baiting

• the risks to human health if poisoned animals are handled or eaten.

If the start of baiting is delayed and the period baits will be used extends beyond the end date given, another notice is required at least 3 days prior to the original end date that warns of the extension.

An exemption can be granted from these requirements if the occupiers of adjacent properties are:

• well within a parcel of land (e.g. within a conservation reserve)

• more than 2km from neighbour(s).

Though records should be kept for at least 5 years in order to provide proof of notification if non-target animals are poisoned, this is not a requirement.

Warning signs

Warning signs must be displayed at the time of baiting and for at least one month after the program ends. These signs must be erected at all entrances on the property being baited and at other important points.

Warning signs in Western Australia must include:

• the date 1080 baits are being laid

• a contact telephone number

• the name of the poison (i.e., 1080 and/or PAPP)

• the target species

• a warning that domestic animals and pets can be poisoned

• a “no shooting or trapping” statement.

In the case of ongoing baiting operations, warning signs must state that 1080 baiting occurs on an ongoing basis.

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

“Western Shield” is the longest 1080 baiting operation in Australia that has been ongoing since it began in 1996. It involves the dropping of a large number of dried meat baits across approximately 3.8 million hectares, usually by aerial deployment (“aerial baiting”).

Because baiting under the Western Shield program occurs on an ongoing basis, the Western Australian Government has warned that all baited areas “must be considered dangerous for pet cats and dogs at all times”.

No.

Dingoes are referred to as “wild dogs” in Western Australia and are “declared pests” under Section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 for the entire state.

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.

The Landholders Manual acknowledges that the carcasses of animals poisoned with 1080 are “often difficult to find”.

Despite the known threat of secondary poisoning, collecting untaken baits and toxic carcasses is not a legal requirement. Instead, they should be recovered “where practical”.

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

• Alannah MacTiernan - Minister for Agriculture and Food
  (08) 6552 6200 | minister.mactiernan@dpc.wa.gov.au

• Reece Whitby - Minister for Environment
  (08) 6552 6300 | minister.whitby@dpc.wa.gov.au

• Animal Welfare Act 2002 is Western Australia’s primary animal protection legislation. Under the Act, though it is an offence to poison an animal there are defences to offences against poisoning “pest” species. For example, a person is not guilty of animal cruelty if they can prove they were acting in accordance with a relevant Code of Practice (‘COP’), the purpose of the act was to kill a “pest” animal in a “manner that is generally accepted as usual and reasonable”.

• Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 sets out the requirements for using chemicals, including 1080 poison. Under the Act, Under the Act, the State Government raises a “Declared Pest Rate” from landholders in some areas and matches the funds raised dollar-for-dollar. These funds are made available to these “Recognised Biosecurity Groups” who control declared “pest” species.

• Health Act 1991 establishes membership and functions of the Pesticides Advisory Committee.

• Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 is the primary legislation regulating the manufacture, sale and use of 1080 poison in Western Australia. 1080 poison is a Schedule 7 poison under the Act.

• Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 describes what a “prescribed pest” is, prohibits certain devices and contains defences for certain actions. Under the Regulations, a “prescribed pest” is an animal identified as a “prohibited” or “declared pest” species under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act.

• Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013 sets out categories of “declared pests” and requirements relating to their control.

• Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011 regulates the use of poisons, the issuing of pest management technician licences and business registrations.

• Medicines and Poisons Regulation 2016 . 1080 poison is identified as a Schedule 7 poison under the Medicines and Poisons Act.

• Code of Practice for the Safe Use and Management of Registered Pesticides Containing 1080, PAPP and Strychnine sets out how authorisations and approvals are made and provides guidance on manufacturing, selling, transporting, storing, using and disposing of 1080 products.

• Guidance Note on Section 72 Notices for Schedule 7 Poisons provides additional information on Section 72 Notices made under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014.

• Safe and Effective Use and Management of 1080 and PAPP: Landholders Manual - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (2015).