They're poisoning our waters

Animal Justice Party member, Ellie Robertson, has created a petition calling for the City of Parramatta and The Hills Shire Council to end their use of the poison 1080.

The poison is used as a part of a baiting program by the councils to target foxes and other pests in local reserves.

Sodium Fluoroacetate is toxic and known to cause a slow, painful death. Birth defects, reduced fertility, and damage to the reproductive system, brain, heart, and other organs are known side effects of 1080 to mammals.

“I started this petition because I am acutely aware of the cruelty involved when animals consume this poison,” said Robertson.

“Animals die a violent and slow death and I strongly believe that no animal deserves this regardless of whether they are native or introduced.”

The councils are currently baiting six reserves, including Bidjigal Reserve, Eric Mobbs Reserve, Excelsior Reserve, Ted Horwood Reserve, Lot 51 Cadwells Road Kethurst and Lake Parramatta Reserve.

The Hill Shire Council backs their use of the poison. They said: “It is important to note that under the Local Land Services Act 2013 all land managers in NSW, whether on public or private land, have an obligation to control declared pest species on their land.

“The Hills Shire Council abides by all requirements of the 1080 Pesticide Control Order. This reduces the risk to animals that aren't a target, and lays out the rules that land owners need to abide by when using a 1080 product.”

1080 spreads quickly through water, moves up the food chain and is almost impossible to detect.

It was banned in most countries, including the US, after civilian deaths.

The petition proposes the use of other long-term population-control forms, including fertility suppressants and exclusion fencing.

Written by Madison La Pira