Australia-Protest the use of 1080 to kill animals

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

Please write to Premier Jim Bacon in Tasmania and ask for the use

of 1080 in poisoning native animals to be banned now.

 

In Australia, each State Government has a leader and they are given the

title

of " Premier " of that state.

 

Thanks,

 

Marguerite

 

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Mrs Marguerite Wegner,

P.O. Box 30,

Riverton,

Western Australia 6148

 

To:Premier Jim Bacon,

Tasmanian Government,

GPO Box 123,

Hobart,

Tasmania

Australia 7001

 

jim.bacon

Fax +61 3 6233 2678

Phone +61 3 6233 3836

 

7th June 2001

 

 

Dear Premier Bacon,

 

Please ban the use of 1080 as an animal poison in Tasmania immediately.

 

In a recent " 7.30 report " program on ABC TV, 17/04/01, Maxine McKew quoted

Senator Robert Hill, Federal Minister for the Environment as saying he'd

like to see the day the poison is no longer used [in Tasmania].

 

The 7.30 Report said that in Tasmania, the systematic use of the poison 1080

killed thousands of possums, quolls, wallaby and pademelons.

 

The 7.30 Report interviewed Geoff Law of the Wilderness Society who says

" It's because of this massive woodchip plantation's juggernaut that there is

this reliance on this deadly poison. "

 

John Haywood, an animal rescuer was also interviewed by the 7.30 report. He

said " On an individual level it's cruel both to the animals poisoned and to

the

large numbers of pouched young that are left to starve or die of exposure. "

 

John Haywood also said [in Tasmania] you can be fined $5,000-$10,000 for

rescuing an orphaned animal yet it's comparatively easy, you know, to get a

permit to poison them.

 

I have heard anecdotal evidence saying animals dying of 1080 poisoning have

been found in positions indicating they suffered terrible painful deaths.

There were

anecdotal reports of native animals having pawed at the ground in agony as

they die.

 

Please ban the use of 1080 in Tasmania now. The poison causes a cruel and

inhumane death to Australian native animals and may also find its way into

the food

chain to poison other animals including birds of prey, dogs and cats.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Marguerite Wegner

 

 

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Transcript ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/s278482.htm

17/04/01

Farming poison puts Tasmania's native animals at risk

 

MAXINE McKEW: In Tasmania, the systematic use of the poison 1080 to kill

thousands of possums, quolls, wallaby and pademelons has reached a point

where the Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, recently said

he'd like to see the day the poison is no longer used.

 

1080 poison is used by farmers and foresters to control the burgeoning

populations of native animals.

 

While 1080 is used in some other states to deal with dingoes, foxes and

rabbits, Tasmania has a particular problem because farms and timber

plantations are often right next door to bushland where native animals make

their homes.

 

And a warning here - viewers, and especially children, might find some

images in Judy Tierney's report distressing.

 

JUDY TIERNEY: Here at the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and

Environment research station, the lethal poison 1080 is being mixed into

carrots.

 

Refer to website for the rest of the transcript..................

 

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http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2089208%255E3462,00.html

By ANNE BARBELIUK

07jun01

 

1080 fears for fishery

The Mercury

Tasmania, Australia

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2089208%255E3462,00.html

By ANNE BARBELIUK

07jun01

 

THE operator of a new tourist fishery south of Hobart fears he will be put

out of business by the use of 1080 poison on neighbouring property.

 

Stuart Gibson said yesterday rotting wallaby carcasses would do little to

enhance his burgeoning business, the Geeveston Highlands Salmon and Trout

farm.

 

" We are trying to promote a scenic wildlife fishery, with ducks, swans and

platypus in the lakes, " Mr Gibson said.

 

" But if a family comes out for a day's fishing and the kids keep falling

over wallaby carcasses, I'm not going to be very happy about it. "

 

Mr Gibson also fears the putrid carcasses will infect the water streams

leading into his two salmon and trout lakes, endangering the fish.

 

He said his 42ha property was an idyllic pocket of Tasmania which, since

opening in November, had already received accolades from interstate

professionals in the sport.

 

But a plan by a neighbouring property to begin laying 1080 poison next week

had threatened his livelihood and his lifestyle, with fears his four dogs

may also be at risk.

 

" I have to keep my dogs caged up as virtual prisoners for the next few

months in case they stumble across a poisoned carcass on the property, " he

said.

 

He said the neighbouring farmer's use of 1080 was intended to cull the

wallaby population and was entirely within the law.

 

Mr Gibson said he did not blame the neighbour for his actions but believed

the State Government should step in to help the farmer find alternatives to

1080 poison.

 

He said better fencing would help manage the situation and the Government

should offer farmers financial incentives to fence rather than poison.

 

The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment said it was

aware of Mr Gibson's concerns and had attached special conditions to the

1080 permit as a result.

 

" The department has attached a condition to the permit requiring thorough

collection and removal of carcasses from the areas over an extended period, "

DPIWE spokesman Rod Wallace said.

 

" The condition is specifically designed to meet Mr Gibson's concerns. "

 

The Inland Fisheries Service said there was little chance a poisoned animal

would threaten a fishery because 1080 was easily broken down.

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