The Environmental Protection Authority will now administer 1080 and brodifacoum (CRRT) rather than regional councils and Environment Minister Nick Smith said in an interview that provided pest contractors met predetermined criteria, operations would not require resource consent.
This centralised approach also standardised the use of poisons and rules governing operations.
At present operators can face different regulations for operations that straddle territorial local authority boundaries.
Smith gave the example of a pest control operation underway in the Kahurangi National Park in an area administered by the West Coast and Tasman Regional Councils, with each requiring different regulations such as for public notification.
Savings would be generated for OSPRI and the Department of Conservation by not having to apply for resource consent, provided they met predetermined standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and from having greater flexibility to ensure operations occurred at the optimum time.
Smith said the idea of centralising administration was suggested by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment who noted duplication and inconsistency from differing regional rules.
Last year he sought public opinion on the proposal and had 70% of submitters in favour, including from regional councils.
OSPRI senior policy advisor Nick Hancox said the change would simplify the process and enable some efficiency that should free up funds for extra pest control, but overall farmers would not notice much change.
At present OSPRI has to apply to regional councils and the Medical Officer of Health for consent prior to a pest control operation.
From April 1, when the changes take effect, consent would only be required from the Medical Officer of Health.
Smith said a 95% reduction in Tb infection rates in cattle and deer was a “tremendous success story”, and the newly announce changes would ensure that trend would continue.
“It is a practical change that will make control easier,” he said.
Smith did not think the changes would lessen vocal opponents to the use of the poison.
“I like to remind those opponents that stoats, rats and possums kill 25 million native birds a year and if we are serious about ensuring their survival we need to use effective and efficient poisons like 1080.”
