Extra controls in place for storing and importing 1080

File photo / NZ Herald

Extra controls have been placed on the storage and importing of 1080 following a threat to use the pesticide to contaminate infant formula.

The government has introduced new controls for all workplaces and laboratories using sodium fluoroacetate (1080) from April 10.

After that date it will be illegal to hold 1080 without having notified the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of the quantity held and the supplier.

Any new imports require an import certificate from the EPA before it can be collected from the New Zealand Customs Service.

Laboratory managers must also ensure that 1080 is securely locked up when not in use.

The new measures were introduced by the government last week, in response to a threat made in November to contaminate infant and other formula if 1080 was not withdrawn from use by the end of March.