New baiting course underway in Tablelands LHPA

Rangers from the Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority are currently running new shorter training courses to allow landholders to use 1080 and Pindone baits on their properties.

The Tablelands LHPA is now offering a three-hour course to give landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations. The authority will be holding courses across the region, with one course already conducted in Yass and courses planned for Taralga, Crookwell and Goulburn during July.

Tablelands LHPA senior ranger Mark McGaw says there are clear benefits for landholders in completing the new course.

"All landholders who want to use 1080 or Pindone to control pest animals and do not have a current AQF3 certificate should attend the course, as it will allow them to use these bait products," Mr McGaw said.

"Many landholders will now be able to carry out fox baiting on their properties. With lamb and mutton prices so high, they potentially could save thousands of dollars by carrying out an effective fox control program."

The poisons 1080 and Pindone play a vital role in keeping pest animal number under control. Recent studies have found pest animals cost agriculture in excess of $720 million annually.

The 1080 Pesticide Control Order gazetted in 2008 restricted the supply of 1080 to persons holding a minimum AQF3 chemical accreditation, but many landholders failed to meet this requirement.

Yass Valley sheep producer John Ive of "Talaheni" recently attended the course held in Yass. He believes the new course will vastly improve landholder participation in baiting programs.

"After the restrictions for 1080 came in, the number of people participating in our local Landcare baiting program dropped from 50 to around 4. Many people, especially those without stock, couldn’t undertake the AQF3 course due to the costs and time involved," Mr Ive said.

"This short but comprehensive course will make pest control so much easier for all landholders."

The course will cost $22 for Tablelands LHPA ratepayers and $45 for non-ratepayers. Those completing the course will be issued a certification card and will remain accredited to use 1080 and Pindone for five years.

Any landholder interested in attending the training course should contact their local Tablelands LHPA office for further details and proposed dates of the courses.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378