1080 poison
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:09): (211) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. The cruel Felixer grooming trap that traps and sprays animals with a dose of toxic 1080 gel has been approved by federal authorities for wild cat management across the country. 1080 kills animals in the trap slowly and painfully when they lick it off. The traps are not suitable for large landscapes and are being used in tandem with aerial baiting. The government’s first ever 10-year cat management strategy to protect cats and wildlife is due to be released soon. Can the minister confirm that the Felixer 1080 grooming trap will not be deployed in Victoria?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:10): I thank the member for her question. This is a relatively new device. For those that are not familiar with it, it is essentially a metal box, and inside of it there are containers that hold 1080 in it. It sprays on the detection of particular animals, and it can identify different animals in terms of its spray, so it is a technological advancement in terms of pest control in the country. In respect to Victoria, we have got some very stringent controls in terms of 1080; in terms of feral cats, it is not allowed. But I can assure you that in terms of the cat management strategy, this is not a feature of those consultations whatsoever and it is certainly not part of the strategy overall. In terms of anything that is approved nationally, we obviously need to consider what the implications might be in terms of Victoria, making sure that we have got some sort of eye on technological advancement, as well as balancing that with animal welfare considerations.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:11): I thank the minister for her response. 1080 poison is banned in most countries, including the US, where it was outlawed in the early 1970s because of civilian deaths. 1080 is a poison used extensively to kill so-called pest species such as foxes, rabbits, wallabies, cats, wild pigs and wild dogs. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and is therefore easily ingested by companion animals as well as native species. Its victims, intended or otherwise, experience a slow, agonising death. Will the minister consider humane, long-term population control techniques such as immunocontraception for target animals and end the use of 1080, as recommended in the final report of the inquiry into ecosystem decline in Victoria?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:12): Thank you for the question. This is a banner that was raised by your predecessor Andy Meddick as well. The government’s position in terms of an answer has not changed in relation to this, but I think in terms of the actual answer that you are after, it is probably more within the province of another minister.