Opposition to aerial 1080 poisoning for control of invasive mammals in New Zealand: risk perceptions and agency responses

Abstract

Public opposition to the aerial broadcast of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison pellets in New Zealand is an issue for pest management agencies who use it for protecting indigenous wildlife and reducing bovine Tb levels. The first part of this study analyses a wide range of concerns expressed in 525 submissions made to the Environmental Risk Management Authority in 2007 opposing the re-registration of 1080. In the second part of this study we evaluate the information produced by pest management agencies about 1080 for its coverage of the range of perceived risks identified in the submissions. The information produced by agencies addresses most issues of technical risk, but few risks identifying ethical, economic, social, research and operational concerns. The submissions and agency responses are analysed in the framework of risk communications research and approaches to ‘wicked’ problems. This shows that focusing only on improving the written material on 1080 risks will not reduce critical public concerns about aerial use of 1080. Both risk communication practice and approaches to ‘wicked’ problems emphasize the importance of engaging in dialogue with relevant players to progress socially complex issues. We argue that a more deliberate and strategic effort to build dialogue and collaboration with key communities is needed. Agencies need to engage relevant experts and sustain initiatives over time to build trust and move forward. Science is an important voice to be at the table, but is only one among several.