A company in charge of managing and reducing tuberculosis in New Zealand has been accused of being "morally bankrupt'' by an anti-1080 group at a meeting held in Lawrence last night.
About 50 people attended a public meeting held in response to the Lawrence community requesting further information about a planned 1080 drop in the area.
The meeting was organised by Ospri, which manages New Zealand's TBfree programmes.
A map was displayed with printed information on the use of 1080 in New Zealand and the risks it posed.
Many members of the public were opposed to the planned 1080 aerial drop over the Lawrence and Berwick area.
A signed petition opposing the drop has garnered more than 200 signatures from the town, which has a population of about 500.
The event was supposed to be an information evening but Ospri southern South Island programme manager Brent Rohloff was unable to complete a planned presentation due to questioning from the public.
Many there were concerned the poison would leak into waterways and catchments which could risk the lives of domestic animals and native birds.
Farmers Against 1080 spokeswoman Mary Molloy said Mr Rohloff and Ospri were being "morally bankrupt'' for agreeing to poison the area and the people of Lawrence.
She said the company had not taken all research into consideration and there was sufficient evidence to support the dangers 1080 posed.
A local farmer, who identified himself at the meeting as Paul Eason, wanted to know if the meeting would achieve anything or if the drop would be stopped following concerns from the public.
He said it appeared the meeting was going around in circles.
Mr Rohloff said it was unrealistic to expect the 1080 aerial drop would not go ahead.
He did not believe 1080 posed a serious threat to livestock or birds.
The area targeted was within a high vector risk area where the density of possum populations had to be reduced.
Ospri national health and safety manager James Knapp said it would take the concerns of the community into consideration to seek other options.
A set time for the drop had not been determined.
