Banned pesticide found in bait sparks appeal to community
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is appealing for information following the suspected poisoning of native wildlife in a public reserve at Safety Beach near Woolgoolga on 12 November.
The EPA received a report from a resident that a dead lace monitor (goanna) and injured brush turkey had been found in the public reserve behind their home. The brush turkey was taken to a vet but subsequently died.
EPA officers attended the area and discovered numerous slices of bread had been placed throughout the reserve. Samples were collected and sent to the EPA’s laboratory for analysis.
Tests revealed that the bread had been soaked in the pesticide Chlorpyrifos, which is banned for most residential and urban uses due to unacceptable risks associated with exposure to the chemical.
EPA Director Steve Orr said local police were advised of the incident as the baits were placed in a public reserve and had potential to cause serious injury or death to humans.
“Baiting native wildlife is a serious offence, and the baits at Safety Beach had levels of poison that could harm or even kill a person,” said Mr Orr.
“It goes without saying that this is a serious and disturbing act.
“We are appealing to anyone with information to get in contact with the EPA or local police, “he said.
Unwilful or negligent use pesticides that harms any non-target animal or plant can attract penalties of up to $120,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a corporation.
Possessing or using an unregistered pesticide or using a pesticide contrary to the approved label can also trigger fines of up to a $60,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a corporation.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the NSW EPA Environment Line on 131 555 or [email protected].
Chlorpyrifos was only banned for most residential use in 2019/20 and is contained in numerous products. If you have products containing Chlorpyrifos, please head to the EPA Pesticides page for how to safely dispose of these products: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/pesticides/preventing-pesticide-misuse/safe-disposal-pesticides