Register for upcoming Central North 1080 and Pindone courses

Rangers from the Central North Livestock Health and Pest Authority are encouraging landholders in the Tamworth and Coonabarabran area to register for a short training course which will allow them to legally use 1080 and Pindone baits on their properties.

The next courses will be held on Thursday 24 March at Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Calala and 31 March at Coonabarabran Gold Club. Both courses start at 10am with registration at 9.30am.

Central North LHPA ranger, Jackie Barker says there are clear benefits for landholders in completing the short course.

"Any landholder who wants to control pest animals such as rabbits, foxes and feral pigs and does not have a current AQF3 certificate should attend the course. It will allow them to use 1080 and Pindone bait products on their properties – providing landholders can meet set pesticide distance restrictions," Ms Barker said.

"The course only takes a few hours to complete, and gives landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations."

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

The 1080 Pesticide Control Order restricts the supply of 1080 to persons holding a minimum AQF3 chemical accreditation or other training specified in the PCO. For those landholders who did not hold AQF accreditation, the LHPA offered a new short course in 2010 approved by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW to enable landholders to legally use 1080 and Pindone.

"The Central North LHPA successfully trained more than 300 landholders during the previous 12 months. Based on its uptake in 2010, the training course will again be delivered by LHPA rangers in 2011 and will cover topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and OH&S," said Ms Barker.

The Central North LHPA is offering these two courses at the discounted fee of $22. Those completing the course will be issued a certification card and remain accredited to use 1080 and Pindone for five years. Certification cards will be issued within one month of completion of the course.

To register for a course contact Jackie Barker at the Tamworth office on 6762 2900, 0427 058 976 or jacquelyn.barker@lhpa.org.au.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378