Otago was second to only the West Coast in the number of aerial 1080 operations carried out last year, yet no complaints were made about the operations.
Described as one of the most closely monitored substances in New Zealand, 1080 had been subject to yearly reports by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since regulations were tightened after a review of its use in 2007.
It recently released its report on operations carried out last year, which covered 6.3 million hectares, including 45 aerial operations covering 440,000ha. The Animal Health Board completed 59%, and the Department of Conservation 37%.
EPA hazardous substances general manager Andrea Eng said although there were 14% fewer operations than in previous years, it was more likely to be due to the cycle of pest-control operations than a change in use.
Those operations attracted 34 complaints, up from 17 the previous year, she said. All were investigated and six breaches of regulatory controls by operators were found. Sixteen breaches of the law were caused by members of the public. No complaints were made about the Otago operations but nine were regarding West Coast operations, mostly involving protesters. Two involved an operation covering 25,000ha by Doc in Waitutu Forest in Southland.
Last year, 10 aerial 1080 operations in Otago covered 500ha, compared with 2009 when the same number of applications covered 38,000ha.
All the operations were undertaken by landowners.
On the West Coast, 13 operations covered 204,000ha; seven were carried out by the Animal Health Board and six by Doc.
The difference in the area covered by the operations was that the operations on the West Coast targeted possums and rats in indigenous forest, while in Otago they were carried out for rabbit control over small areas, the report said.
Last year, 1080 was used for rabbit control over about 9000ha, 2.4% of land judged to be extremely rabbit-prone in Otago and Canterbury.
