News Release |
Tasmania takes first step in banning 1080 poison |
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Humane Society International (HSI) strongly congratulates the Tasmanian Government for their decision to ban the use of 1080 poison in Tasmania’s State Forests. The announcement, made by Premier Paul Lennon this week, follows increasing global opposition to Tasmania's forestry policies, led by rock star and activist Chrissie Hynde, who is campaigning against the use of 1080 along with Australian groups, HSI and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. Tasmania has been the worst user of 1080 poison, using it to deliberately target native species. Now Premier Lennon is calling on other Australian states to stop the use of 1080. In Tasmania 1080 baiting is permitted to control three native species, the Tasmanian Pademelon, the bennett’s wallaby and the brushtail possum. Foresters claim that these animals can reduce productivity in commercial plantations by browsing Eucalyptus seedlings. Their methods commonly involve the placement of 1080 laced carrots among plantations. “HSI welcomes Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon’s decision as a first major step in ridding Australia of 1080 baiting”, said Nicola Beynon, HSI’s Wildlife and Habitat Campaign Manager. “1080 is environmentally destructive and extremely inhumane. Pademelon populations in Tasmanian plantations have been reduced by up to 98% from 1080 baiting. 1080 causes animals immense pain and a slow death”. “It is bad enough on mainland Australia that the cruel poison is used to kill feral animals with native species and pet animals often accidental victims. In Tasmania foresters and farmers are allowed to set baits to target native animals”. Premier Lennon promises the use of 1080 in State Forests will be phased out and banned by December 2005. However HSI is concerned that its use may be allowed to continue on private land. HSI is calling for a Tasmanian-wide ban and on the Federal Government to follow up with a nation-wide ban. HSI is also currently calling on the Federal Environment Minister to put a stop to plans announced by the NSW State government to resume large-scale 1080 baiting in Kosciusko National Park this spring. Scientists and conservationists predict that these plans could lead to the extinction of resident quoll and dingo populations in the park. |
For further information please contact enquiry@hsi.org.au PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 Australia Tel: +61 (02) 9973 1728 Fax: +61 (02) 9973 1729 |