Landholder authorisations for invasive animal control

The Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (the MPA) commenced on 27 September 2021 and allows for landholders, their adult employees, and agents to be authorised to control invasive animals such as cats, dingoes, wild dogs, foxes, rabbits and feral pigs with poisons.

Poisons used for invasive animal control including strychnine, fluoroacetic acid (1080), and para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) are classed as restricted S7 (RS7) poisons and are included in schedule 1 of the Medicines and Poisons (Poisons and Prohibited Substances) Regulation 2021 (the Poisons Regulation).

Low-risk fluoroacetic acid baits (LRFABs) are baits with a concentration of fluoroacetic acid (1080) of not more than 0.5 grams per kilogram of bait (0.05%). LRFABs may be fresh (fruit, grain or vegetables) or APVMA registered manufactured baits (e.g. Doggone, De-K9, Foxoff, De-Fox).

Landholders, their employees and agents, dealing with RS7 poisons for invasive animal control must comply with the requirements of the Queensland Health Departmental Standard – Dealing with restricted S7 poisons for invasive animal control (PDF 441 kB)

Landholder authorisations for RS7 poisons

Landholders can obtain RS7 poisons to control invasive animals using the following options:

As an Approved Person

Landholders, their adult employees and agents are authorised under Schedule 2 of the Poisons Regulation when they obtain LRFABs from a Biosecurity Officer or a Nature Conservation Officer.

As an Approved Person, the landholder may possess, apply and dispose of the baits. Landholders who access poisons using this option are automatically recognised as Approved Persons and do not need to apply to Queensland Health.

As a general approval holder

S7 poisons

Landholders may apply to Queensland Health for a general approval for the S7 poisons:

  • Strychnine - only for use in wild dog or fox traps
  • 1080 concentrate
  • 1080/PAPP capsules for pest ejector devises
  • PAPP manufactured baits.

To apply, complete and submit the General approval – landholder application form (RTF 1279 kB). Applications require supporting information including maps, evidence of competencies and rates notices.

Strychnine

Strychnine must only be used in conjunction with wild dog or fox traps, in accordance with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) permit PER14004. Strychnine must not be used to prepare meat baits or in a way other than specified by the permit.

For information on the safe handling and application of Strychnine in traps please refer to the APVMA permit PER14004, which can be found at Minor use permit PER14004 (apvma.gov.au)

Manufactured low-risk fluoroacetic acid baits

Landholders may apply to Queensland Health for a general approval for APVMA registered manufactured LRFABs.

To apply, complete and submit the General approval – manufactured low-risk fluoroacetic acid baits application form (PDF 79 kB). Applications require supporting information including driver’s licence and rates notice.

1080  concentrate

Landholders will only be authorised to buy and use 1080 concentrate if:

  • The land they intend to apply the poisons on is in a remote regional area where the supply of baiting services and products by the Council is not available.
  • The Council provides written confirmation that it does not provide baiting services in the local government area.

Landholders need to provide evidence that they have completed the competencies:

  • AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals (equivalent competency – AHCCHM304A)
  • AHCCHM307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases (equivalent competencies – AHCCHM303 and AHCCHM303A)
  • AHCPMG312 – Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes.

Commercial baiting operators undertaking invasive animal control

In addition to the above authorities, landholders may engage a Commercial baiting operator (CBO) to control invasive animals using RS7 poisons on their property. Depending on the type of authority held, a CBO may undertake the following activities:

  • Buy, possess, apply and dispose of RS7 poisons on a landholder’s property. The landholder does not require an authority if the CBO carries out all dealings with the RS7 poison.
  • Manufacture and supply RS7 poisons to landholders to apply on their property. If a landholder takes possession, applies or disposes of an RS7 poison in this manner, they must obtain an approval from Queensland Health before undertaking the dealings.

Read more on Commercial baiting operators.

Landholder competency requirements

Landholders do not need competencies to deal with or apply for approvals for LRFABs.

The following competencies are required for landholders applying for strychnine, 1080/PAPP capsules and PAPP manufactured baits:

  • AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals; and
  • AHCCHM307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases.

In addition to the above competencies, landholders applying for 1080 concentrate require:

  • AHCPMG312 – Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes.

Related information

Departmental standards

Contacts

Queries about landholders using RS7 poisons for invasive animal control can be directed to the Environmental Hazards Unit by email at environmentalhazards@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: 15 February 2024