Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: There has been an increase in small native animals consuming poisoned rodents, resulting in secondary poisoning. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, also known as SGARs, contain a blood-thinning chemical that can remain active for months and animals that consume it can suffer an excruciating death. It is used for pest animal management. Poisoned rodents effectively become toxic time bombs that spread poison that can kill other animals.

Recent Australian studies have found dangerous and even fatal levels of SGARs in dead birds of prey, including southern boobooks, wedge-tailed eagles and powerful owls. Further local and international studies implicate SGARs in the deaths of native wildlife like birds, reptiles and mammals, as well as beloved pet cats and dogs.

Without realising it, councils themselves are often contributing to this problem by using SGARs to control rodents in council-managed buildings and spaces, particularly in regional areas. These dangerous chemicals are already heavily regulated or banned in the USA, Canada and Europe, as well as some councils across Australia, which are taking their own action to protect their local areas from the threat of SGARs.

However, in South Australia, SGARs are available for anyone to purchase in supermarkets and hardware stores and it could be argued that these products shouldn't be available to the public or in use at all. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can she provide the council any information about what guidance her department gives for the use of SGARs?

2. Has she had discussions with regard to this at a federal level in the ministerial meetings?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am happy to take on notice the first question, which is in regard to whether the department issues any guidance. A number of chemicals—in fact the majority of course—are governed by federal regulations, but other jurisdictions and other bodies can be involved in providing advice and so on.

To my recollection, it hasn't been discussed at the agricultural ministers meetings since I became minister in March last year as a specific in terms of SGARs. Certainly, I will look into that further and bring back any information that I can to the chamber.