The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Management Council has developed a new shorter training course which will allow landholders to use 1080 and Pindone baits on their properties.

Funded and approved by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), all LHPAs across the state are now offering a three-hour course to give landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations.

LHPA pest and TSR policy officer, Tim Seears believes that the new course will see an increased use of 1080 and Pindone baiting to control pest animals, especially by small landholders as part of larger group programs.

"The 1080 Pesticide Control Order (PCO) gazetted in 2008 restricted the supply of 1080 to persons holding a minimum AQF3 chemical accreditation – many landholders failed to meet this requirement.

"As a result, participation in 1080 baiting programs reduced by as much as 85% in some districts, so the LHPA State Council and DECCW have developed this alternative training course to increase participation in control programs."

Mr Seears says landholders should be aware that this new training course doesn’t replace the AQF chemical application courses, which remain a requirement for use of any other pesticide.

"The Pesticides Regulation 2009 has been amended so that successful completion of this course will allow the use of 1080 and Pindone baits in NSW, but for use of any other chemical (such as Roundup or Grazon) a minimum AQF2 certification is required."

The new training course will be delivered by LHPA rangers and will cover topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and OH&S. Those completing the course will be issued a certification card and will remain accredited to use 1080 and Pindone for five years.

A fee of around $45 per person will be charged for the course.

Any landholder interested in attending the training course should contact their local LHPA office for further details.