Local governments

Local governments should take note of the requirements that apply to dealings (buy, possess, apply, supply and dispose) with restricted schedule 7 (RS7) poisons used for invasive animal control under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (the MPA).

Local government authorisations

Local governments and their employees dealing with RS7 poisons to controlling invasive animals (wild dogs, dingos, foxes, feral pigs and feral cats) are required to hold an appropriate authorisation (general approval, licence or approved person) under the MPA.

Authorised persons dealing with RS7 poisons need to comply with the Poison Regulation provisions for storage, transport and disposal as well as comply with the requirements of the APVMA approved product labels e.g. neighbour notification, signage and distance restrictions.

Approved persons

The Poisons Regulation classifies authorised officers under the Biosecurity Act 2014 and Nature Conservation Act 1992 as Approved Persons and authorises them to possess, apply and dispose LRFABs on land managed by the relevant state department or local government (see Table below).

Approved Persons are authorised on the basis of their competency and training to deal with LRFABs without the requirement for a specific approval under the MPA.

The authorised officers may also supply LRFABs to rural landholders (including their employees or agents) to control invasive animals on a landholder’s property or as part of a local government coordinated baiting program. Chapter 3 of the Poisons Regulation details requirements for supplying LRFABs to a landholder.

Approved persons - authorised officers

Approved Person

Dealings

Regulated poison

Scope of dealings

Authorised officer: Biosecurity Act 2014 and Nature Conservation Act 1992

Manufacture

LRFABs containing fluoroacetic acid at a concentration of not greater than 0.05%

Baits are manufactured:

  • in accordance with the approved label of the fluoroacetic acid contained in the bait; and
  • for immediate use by a rural landholder (including their employees or agents) to control an invasive animal on the person’s land or premises
 

Possess

LRFABs containing fluoroacetic acid at a concentration of not greater than 0.05%

The poison is possessed to control an invasive animal

 

Supply

LRFABs containing fluoroacetic acid at a concentration of not greater than 0.05%
  • the poison is supplied to another   person to control an invasive animal on the person’s land or premises; and
  • the authorised officer is satisfied the   health risk to a person or an animal, other than an invasive animal to be   controlled, in relation to the application of the poison supplied is likely   to be low or negligible
 

Apply

LRFABs containing fluoroacetic acid at a concentration of not greater than 0.05%

The poison is applied to control an invasive animal

 

Dispose

Waste from a LRFAB

 

General approvals

Local government officers authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2014 or Nature Conservation Act 1992 will be required to hold a general approval or be employed by an entity with a general approval to buy, possess, apply or dispose of RS7 poisons (other than LRFABs) for the purposes of invasive animal control. This includes for fluoroacetic acid (1080) concentrate used to manufacture fresh LRFABs, shelf stable PAPP baits and putty and 1080 or PAPP pest ejector device capsules.

Competency requirements for the control of invasive animals are prescribed in the Departmental standard - Competency requirements for authority holders dealing with poisons (PDF 338 kB).

Find out more about authorised officer authorisations for dealing with RS7 poisons for invasive animal control.

Entity general approvals

Local governments may apply for a single entity general approval as an alternative to authorised officers holding individual general approvals.

Under an entity approval, the local government is responsible for ensuring that the requirements under the MPA and conditions of the entity approval relating to dealing (buy, possess, apply and dispose) with RS7 poisons are complied with.

Substance management plans (SMPs)

Local governments that hold an entity approval will be required to have a substance management plan (SMP) if more than 100g of undiluted RS7 poisons are held at any one time.

More information on who needs a SMP can be found in the Factsheet: Do I need a Substance Management Plan (PDF 253 kB).

The Departmental standard - Substance management plans for regulated poisons (PDF 283 kB) provide details on the content and requirements for SMPs.

As previously, local governments will be able to supply S7 herbicides to land holders for weed control. The Poisons Regulation has classified local governments as Approved Persons for this activity.

Apply for a general approval

Application forms for authorised officers and local government entities wanting to apply for a general approval can be found here Poisons general approval forms and fees.

There are no fees associated with obtaining a general approval.

Related information

Departmental standards

Contacts

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

Last updated: 5 July 2024