Environmental Protection Authority's 1080 report released

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Someone removed 1080 warning signs in Westland when baits were still toxic, an annual 1080 report says.

The total land area where 1080 was dropped last year was almost two-thirds less than that of 2014, covering 374,227ha.

The Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) report says the largest number of aerial 1080 operations were Otago with 12; Waikato with nine; and the West Coast six.

The Coast and Waikato regions though had the most hectares and presented the greatest number of incidents:

• Buller north: A member of the public reported an aerial spray flight had passed over the Solid Energy Cypress mine. The boundaries were checked and found to have been flown as agreed with Solid Energy. The company resolved the issue internally.

• Buller north: Complaint the aircraft was applying bait outside of the block into a water supply exclusion. Flight paths were downloaded and sent to the area Public Health Unit. These showed the aircraft was inside the block at all times.

• Buller north: The loading site was trespassed via the bush. The trespasser was approached by security.

• Buller North: Photographs of bait removed from the operational area were posted on social media. The removal of bait was reported to the police.

• Waimea Kawhaka: Warning signs and wooden stakes were removed while baits were still toxic.

EPA hazardous substances compliance manager Ray McMillan said 1080 was one of the most closely monitored hazardous substances in New Zealand.

"However, like any pesticide its use needs to be carefully managed," he said.

Tighter restrictions of aerial applications were introduced when 1080 was reassessed in 2007. Since then operators have been obligated to report on their activities so that the EPA can actively monitor 1080 use.

Fewer than half of all incidents were caused by operators.

In 2015 there were six operator breaches of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act, the same as in 2014. All breaches were investigated and no evidence was found of adverse effects on public or operators' health, or on land or waterways.

"None of the 446 water samples taken after the aerial drops contained 1080 above approved safe levels," McMillan said.

-Greymouth Star