MEDIA STATEMENT NSPCA

ISSUED ON TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2004

CONTACT: - CHRISTINE KUCH ON 011-907-3590 OR 082 485 1433

(OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA, +27-11-907-3590 OR +27 82 485 1433

 OPPOSING LEGALISATION OF POISON 1080

(SODIUM MONOFLUORACETATE)

The NSPCA believes that the poison known as 1080 should not be legalised in South Africa for reasons including: -

 ·                    Humane grounds. It causes a prolonged and agonising death in carnivores.

·                    Secondary poisoning. 1080 is highly poisonous to birds. This includes the consequences of a vulture, for example, ingesting a poisoned jackal, plus the wider-picture scenario of impact on populations of birds.

·                    If legalised, its use may not be limited to baiting jackals. Wider use may pose serious human health problems. The Humane Society International (Australia) reports that 1080 has been evaluated for use as a chemical agent by the military and that “one teaspoon is sufficient to kill between 30 and 100 men each weighing 150 pounds.”

·                    The substance is highly toxic and the manufacturing process may pose human health problems: - workers may be at risk.

·                    Extending the use of 1080 as a rodenticide (a profitable option) leads to the matter of disposal of the poison. It does not degrade in the environment. Human scavengers, including children, would be at risk when “going through” domestic rubbish and on rubbish heaps. There is no known antidote to 1080 poisoning in humans.

·                    The public having access to this substance would involve untold risks: - 1080 has been used in human murders. It is difficult to trace, is odourless and tasteless. The symptom of 1080 poisoning in a human resembles a heart attack. Although 1080 is currently illegal in South Africa, two murders have been committed in our country using 1080. 

·                    Potential illegal possession and misuse of the substance to kill pets. There is a current crisis involving widespread illegal use of the agricultural poison Aldicarb to poison dogs to leave the way open for criminals to break into domestic properties. Having a further toxic substance on the albeit-black market poses dangers and threats to domestic pets and the safety of residents. The authorities do not seem able to regulate the use of Aldicarb and there is no reason to believe it would be any different with 1080.

·                    There is no antidote for 1080. Dogs accidentally ingesting the rat poison Warfarin can be saved because there is a known antidote. It is possible to save dogs poisoned with Aldicarb. Strychnine has an antidote for dogs. Legalising 1080 would have serious implications for veterinarians in private practice.  

·                    Environmental impact. 1080 does not degrade.

·                    Long-term wider risks: - The Humane Society International states that 1080 “has been evaluated for use as a chemical warfare agent by the military.”

 The NSPCA has stated its opposition to the legalisation of 1080 to The Registrar at the National Department of Agriculture, the Medicines Control Council and to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).

 Professor Gerhard Verdoorn of the EWT stated on the SABC programme 50-50: “What we are trying to do with 1080 is to bring it legally into the market under Act 36 as an Agro Chemical.”

It was admitted on radio 702 on Sunday 14 February 2004 that there is an amount of poison 1080 already in South Africa and that people have been murdered in South Africa by use of this substance.

The toxicity of poison 1080 has instigated bans in various countries including the US.

 Ends

 STATEMENT REFERENCE  07/2004