Pindone Review

Why the review?

The review focused on obtaining a realistic, scientifically based assessment of whether there
is an undue risk to non-target animals caused by the unrestricted supply and use of pindone to
control rabbits. To achieve this, the review assessed published and unpublished data and all
other relevant information submitted to the NRA relating to the potential for the use of
pindone to cause both primary and secondary poisonings in non-target animals. As predation
of poisoned rabbits has the potential to also cause harm to native animals (carnivores and
scavengers) the risk assessment of pindone considered primary and secondary exposures for
non-target fauna and looked at which species are likely to consume pindone, either in baits or
as residues in rabbits

The main findings of the review

• If the concentrate is mixed incorrectly with oats, carrots or
other carriers the product may have an unintended effect that would be harmful to non-
target animals.
• The review found no evidence of increased risks of poisoning of non-target fauna if the
pre-mixed ready-to-use baits are made available on the open market.
• Rabbits are highly susceptible to the toxic effects of both forms of pindone. Various
native birds and mammals also appear to share a similar susceptibility to pindone.
• In States where efforts are underway to reintroduce native species to their former range,
the risk that pindone acid or sodium baiting operations may adversely affect these
reintroductions can be managed by ensuring that baiting is preceded by an assessment of
likely non-target exposure.
• Where a significant risk of non-target exposure is deemed to exist or identified via
assessment, measures need to be taken to minimise this risk. Such measures should
include the judicious use of bait stations or enclosures to restrict access to the baits by
non-target animals, fencing to exclude larger species such as macropods, and avoidance of
baiting near areas of native animal habitat that may harbour small non-target mammals
(such as bandicoots).
• Current instructions on labels of products containing pindone do not provide sufficient
protection for the environment (non-target fauna). Further statements should be
incorporated on the product labels to provide this.
• Additional instructions on the baiting procedure should be specified on labels. The review
identified that risk of non-target poisonings is likely to be reduced by using a multiple
dosing strategy in which baits are laid in the evening through rabbit feeding areas at a
sufficiently low rate to ensure overnight consumption by rabbits.

See the review at https://www.apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/14856-pindone-review-final-report.pdf