[albion54]

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/dawnchorus/1080/factsheet_1080.pdf

Bit concerned atm so any experiences first hand of the impact of aerial spraying of this stuff would be appreciated.

There is reports on a horse forum of aerial spraying of this chemical causing the death of 4 pet horses and numerous dogs. Despite the claims above NZ is the ONLY country in the world now using this poison - manufactured in the USA and that country has only 1 factory left. NZ makes it's own.

Anyone any local paper knowledge of 'sudden pet deaths' or similar that have been blamed on the use of this stuff....???

I want to emigrate to NZ for a better quality of life - not to have poisons dumped on me from the air (and into the water supply - the horse forum
http://forums.horsetalk.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=12764 - has evidence that hikers have been told to not drink water and killing of watercress....)

I would also be taking my whole family with me - not humans - merely 5 very precious horses and 4 precious dogs - and tbh if I get more bad reports on here from this stuff I will NOT be going to NZ !!!!!!

[Moorf]

http://www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/pests/teneighty/documents/QandA.pdf

There's always a risk of an accident I guess, but as far as I know they only aerial spray areas that are inaccessible and remote and use very precise locations. i.e. http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=156&id=3162

Otherwise they use placed bait - in the local gorge where we walk the dogs we've had, in 2 yrs, 2 sets of baiting activity where they set traps and there are huge flourescent signs everywhere telling you not to walk your dog there between xx and xx dates.

I think there are some DOC people here would can better explain why 1080 and not a.n.other poison.

[Tay]

My dad was a farmer in the 70's before they knew t40 was bad... he iused ot spray it with no protective gear at all.

Got spray poisoning, was in hospitable for 3 months, lost the farm and has had bowel and prostrate cancer since then... so yeah.. I have had some experience of spraying. Its is awful

Prob the thing I dread most about returning home. I suppose there is more awareness now, but I am going to live in the country and sprays travelling by wind still scare the bejeesus out of me. More out of ignorance and history than basis. Probably best to look at the links posted above, rtaher than be put off by me.

P.S Dad is fine now... thanks to private health insurance and not being afraid of regular check ups.

[boatieman]

Hi albion54,

Here in Nz they seem to spray anything. Even if the spraying substance has been banned by x no of countries.

spray drift is a problem, who knows what direction the wind will blow and where it will take the substance. 1080 is toxic otherwise it would not be a killler.

There is also a problem with agricultural spraying. This also drifts and gives rise to a subsequent increase in respiratory problems in humans.

Do more research on the net and find out all you can maybe contact DOC to see whats normally allowed and what is allowed by special dispensation .


Hope this helps, but remember that NZ is not as green as they would like you to believe

Regards

[kzn2nz]

1080 seems an ideal poison for the job at hand. The lack of indigenous mammals in NZ other than 2 species of bats means that there is a lower risk to biodiversity than in other countries.

Having said that, you do need to pay very close attention to what you are doing, all the time.

[JoanneG]

Hmmm, I have come accross this before and it does worry me, as does the crop spaying.

According to a school in Australia the possum does have predators. "The Common Brush tail possum is hunted by many predators such as owls, Tasmanian devils, Dingoes, Foxes, Cats, Feral dogs, Large Pythons and goannas. If a possum is attacked it will climb up the nearest tree or it will its nest. If it gets caught it will kick, scream, scratch and bite.

Perhaps, at the risk of offending the more sensitive, there is a case here for organised, licensed hunting. Cruel, yes, but no more than nature itself and much better for the environment. Perhaps an owl breeding programme?

To anyone that doesn't know - possums are a huge problem in parts of nz. Yet another example of an animal introduced to a country and running riot. Have you ever seen a red squirrel? What about an otter? Most of us in East Anglia haven't seen a native ladybird this year because harlequins are everywhere - how did they get here - predator kits for greenhouses!

I know someone who's good with owls - eh Carey!

[Oregonkiwi]

According to a school in Australia the possum does have predators. "The Common Brush tail possum is hunted by many predators such as owls, Tasmanian devils, Dingoes, Foxes, Cats, Feral dogs, Large Pythons and goannas.

:confused: Are you suggesting that we introduce owls, foxes, etc into NZ to kill possums?

Perhaps, at the risk of offending the more sensitive, there is a case here for organised, licensed hunting.
Licensed hunting already exists in NZ:
http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/
http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/HuntingNZ/HuntingRegulationsUpdate.aspx

To anyone that doesn't know - possums are a huge problem in parts of nz. Yet another example of an animal introduced to a country and running riot. Exactly my point about owls etc.

[miep]

Just some more info on 1080, it doesn't get sprayed, it gets dropped either in cereal pellets or carrots with or without deer repellent on it.

Erma (Environmental risk management authority) have recently done a reassessment on the use of 1080, if you want to know more go to this link:
http://www.erma.govt.nz/news-events/1080/index.html

Yes it is very poisonous to dogs, it was developed to kill coyotes in the States which is why the danger is so large for dogs, but it also works very well for possums. We have had an operation in the hills behind our house and the birdlife has multiplied enormously in the years since, the difference is really noticeable.
I think we are all hoping for a safer alternative but nothing's been developed yet.

[BkyMonster]

As an interesting point (well interesting to me :p) there is some research being done on creating (and proper distribution of) birth control for possums.

I think the research was coming out of the Otago area. I remember being annoyed that such an interesting job I was qualified for came up when I wasn't there (nor likely to be for months) to go interview for it. :D

So, if you're looking for something to support as a replacement for 1080 that looks like a good candidate.

[migratory birds]

I was told in my recent travels that pesticide use is a bit over the top in NZ (this by someone in Dunedin)

When we were visiting near Nelson, I felt the area was too agricultural with the potential for pesiticide use too great for us to live there.

One primary school we visited said that farmers try to notify schools when they'll be spraying so they can close the windows of the school.

One B&B owner has concerns about a new orchard having gone in next to her property and is trying to communicate with the grower about best times to spray to minimize exposure for her guests.

Orchards have tall hedges surrounding them - to minimize spray drift? They're using overhead irrigation and pesitcide spray mechanisms (and are moving away from aerial spraying using planes) but I wouldn't want to live in agricultural areas there (or anywhere!).

[benandclare]

[QUOTE
Orchards have tall hedges surrounding them - to minimize spray drift? They're using overhead irrigation and pesitcide spray mechanisms (and are moving away from aerial spraying using planes) but I wouldn't want to live in agricultural areas there (or anywhere!).[/QUOTE]


The tall hedges are generally for wind protection and the overhead irrigation system will only be for that as the droplets produced by them are too large to carry the pesticide.

[migratory birds]

When I asked about aerial spraying in an agriculatural area near Nelson, I was told by a woman running a B&B (where an 85 acre apple orchard/irrigation system is just be planted/installed adjacent to her property) that they're doing less aerial application using planes and are moving more toward overhead spray application from systems installed directly over the trees...

[benandclare]

When I asked about aerial spraying in an agriculatural area near Nelson, I was told by a woman running a B&B (where an 85 acre apple orchard/irrigation system is just be planted/installed adjacent to her property) that they're doing less aerial application using planes and are moving more toward overhead spray application from systems installed directly over the trees...


Interesting, that could be a great leap forward in the art of spray application as it could be operated in the middle of the night when there is generally no wind.

I'll give my friend in Nelson , who is into soft fruit , a ring and see what he knows.

The art of spraying is very complex and anything that simplfies it has to be good for the enviroment:nice1