About invasive animal control
The main objective of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (MPA) is to manage risks to public health from the use of regulated substances for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes.
Invasive animals under the Medicines and Poisons (Poisons and Prohibited Substances) Regulation 2021 (Poisons Regulation) means:
- (a)a cat (Felis catus or Prionailurus bengalensis x Felis catus), other than a domestic cat; or
- (b)a dingo (Canis lupus dingo); or
- (c)a dog (Canis lupus familiaris), other than a domestic dog; or
- (d)a European fox (Vulpes vulpes); or
- (e)a European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); or
- (f)a feral pig (Sus scrofa).
Please note, the MPA does not apply to plants or plant diseases.
Dealing with restricted S7 poisons for invasive animal control
The MPA authorises dealings (i.e. manufacture, buy, possess, supply, apply, or dispose) with Restricted Schedule 7 (RS7) poisons for invasive animal control. RS7 poisons used for invasive animal control include fluoroacetic acid (1080) and para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP).
A person may apply to hold a substance authority or be authorised as an approved person to deal with RS7 poisons.
Find out more information about the type and scope of authorisations for dealing with RS7 poisons for invasive animal control at:
- aerial distributors
- authorised biosecurity and nature conservation officers
- commercial baiting operators
- local governments
- landholders.
Authorised persons dealing with RS7 poisons must comply with the relevant provisions of the Poisons Regulation relating to the storage, transport and disposal.
Authorised persons also need to comply with the requirements of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved product labels (e.g. notification, signage and distance restrictions).
Persons dealing with RS7 poisons must have the competencies listed in the Departmental Standard - Competency requirements for authority holders dealing with poisons (PDF 338 kB).
Fumigation of burrows and dens for invasive animal control
The fumigation of burrows and dens for invasive animal control to target the burrowing invasive animals, European foxes and European rabbits, is regulated under the Poisons Regulation.
Approved persons, that is either a primary producer who commercially produces agricultural or horticultural product, or a person who has a burrowing invasive animal competency certificate can possess, apply and dispose of a gaseous poison to control a burrowing invasive animal.
A gaseous poison, in relation to a burrowing invasive animal, means an S7 poison that the APVMA has approved, registered or permitted for use to control the animal when the poison is in the form of a gas.
A burrowing invasive animal competency certificate means a statement of attainment that the person has successfully completed the unit of competency, CPPUPM3011—Manage organisms by applying fumigants to commodities and environments.
A burrowing invasive animal is not considered a pest under the Medicines and Poisons (Pest Management Activities) Regulation 2021 (Pest Management Regulation), therefore a pest management licence is not required, however the label instructions on the fumigant must be followed
You are also permitted to buy the gaseous poison from a licensed S7 poisons retailer provided it is to be used in the course of your duties at a workplace and comply with work health and safety laws. This authorisation is given under section 60 of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019.
Contacts
For more information about poisons for invasive animal control, contact the Environmental Hazards Unit at: