The need for good public relations and staff training in the use of toxins in pest destruction
[Article]
Nelson, Peter C.
Of New Zealand's exports, 80% are agricultural products, and therefore important to the nation's economy. The Agricultural Pests Destruction Council's function is to protect agricultural production from damage caused introduced vertebrate pests, in particular, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); Australian opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula); hare (Lepus eurpaenus); and two species of Australian wallaby, the Damma or (Macropus eugini) and red necked or bush (Macropus rufogrisea). Staff training and public relations are the two main approaches to ensure that we can use toxins, particularly 1080, safely and with the minimum of restriction. The staff training program and public relations efforts are described in detail.