PAPP fox and wild dog bait
Project Leader: Dr Simon Humphrys, Invasive Animals CRC
Aim: To deliver a new shelf-stable manufactured lethal bait for fox and wild dog control, with activity based on incorporation of the novel toxicant para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP)
Project: 1.t.3
Project summary
The project will deliver new types of registered lethal baits with improved specificity and acceptability for use in control of canid pests (wild dogs and foxes) in Australia. The baits will utilise a new toxicant formulation; para-aminopropiophenone or PAPP. The project will also deliver an antidote to the toxicant for use in case of accidental poisoning of, eg, working and companion dogs. It is expected that some elements of the technology will also be used for purposes of feral cat control.
- Dose determination and confirmation of pen studies using foxes
- Dose determination and confirmation of pen studies using wild dogs
- Non target risks assessed and reported
- Environmental toxicology assessed and reported
- Field studies that demonstrate the bait’s effectiveness at reducing target species populations and affect on non-targets completed
- Registration applications (2) submitted to the APVMA for a phased review that is initiated with the acceptance of Part 1 Overview, Part 2 Toxicology and Part 3 Chemistry and Manufacturing data packages. Once these data packages are accepted for assessment additional data packages can be submitted for assessment (Part 6 OH&S, Part 7 Environment [completed] and Part 8 Efficacy [complete for fox product]).
This project represents the first time in approx 50 years that a new active will be assessed as a pesticide in Australia. This has necessitated many studies and the generation of a great deal of data that very often needed in vivo experimentation using wild animals that have had to be captured or in the field. Balancing these difficult studies against the ambitious timeframes originally negotiated with the sponsor of the project; AWI have proven very challenging. However, in the last 12 months the project has crossed a critical threshold with the completion of a series of field trials for the 2 target species that demonstrated the necessary efficacy for submission of 2 product registration applications earlier this year.
The key outcomes of product registrations still hinge on a consultative process with the Office of chemical safety and environmental health (OCSEH). We expect a response to the new active and product applications acceptance for assessment from OCSEH during June 2010. Their acceptance for assessment depends on the acceptance of the currently available toxicology data package which doesn’t contain all of the data required under registration guidelines for the assessment of a new agricultural chemical. However, the use pattern for this agricultural chemical is very narrow which limits occupational and environmental exposure. This lowered risk will be balanced against its known toxicology in determining any additional toxicity studies required to accept the applications for assessment.
Key achievements
- Completed dose ranging studies (foxes and wild dogs) confirming that manufactured fox and wild dog baits containing para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) are lethal and humane.
- Completed studies determining the sensitivity/risk of Australian non-target species to PAPP.
- Completed environmental fate and toxicity studies.
- Completed broad-acre PAPP bait efficacy field trial for fox control on land managed by Melbourne water (Werribee) covering 600 hectares.
- Completed broad-acre PAPP bait efficacy field trial for fox and wild dog control in Hat Head National Park (Kempsey shire NSW) covering 7,400 hectares.
- Completed broad-acre PAPP bait efficacy field trial for fox control in the Goonoo lands (Central West NSW – Dubbo) involving 142 landholders, covering 150,000 hectares.
- Commenced broad-acre PAPP bait efficacy field trial for wild dog control in SE Queensland (portion of Kumbarilla state forest) covering 2,500 hectares.
- Veterinarians successfully treated accidentally poisoned working dogs during field trials using BlueHealer® antidote (see project 10.U.14c).
- Submitted registration applications for a new fox and wild dog manufactured bait containing PAPP to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Key deliverables
- Phased submission of additional registration data packages
- Consultation with the APVMA regarding our application data packages
- Bait stability/shelf-life studies
- First project publications submitted
Project team
Dr Simon Humphrys, Dr Glen Saunders, Prof Linton Staples, Michelle Smith, Frank Gigliotti, Lee Allen, Dr Ricky Spencer, Jane Littlejohn and Dr Johann Schrőder.
Project partners
IA CRC, Australian Wool Innovation, Animal Control Technologies Australia, University of Western Sydney, Connovation, Pestat, Industry and Innovation NSW, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, Victorian Department of Primary Industries, Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Further information
Dall D, Lapidge S and Hunt R (2004) Increasing the efficiency of control of canid pests in Australia. Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference 21: 135-136.
Eason CT, Fagerstone KA, Eisemann JD, Humphrys ST, O’Hare JR and Lapidge SJ (In press) A review of existing and potential new world vertebrate pesticides with a rationale for linking use patterns to registration requirements. International Journal of Pest Management.
Lapidge S, Dall D, Hunt R, Cowled B, Smith M and Staples L (2006) A review of the impact of sheep predators in Australia and new control methods under development. Vertebrate Pest Conference 22: 258-263.
