Pindone chemical review

The APVMA began a review of pindone because of concerns that the unrestricted supply and use of pindone to control rabbits might pose a threat to non-target animals. Using pindone in baits at higher concentrations than the recommended rate increases the risk of poisoning of native animals, as a single exposure can be fatal.

In July 2001, the APVMA released the Pindone preliminary findings report. The review focused on obtaining a scientifically based assessment of whether there was an undue risk to non-target animals caused by the unrestricted supply and use of pindone to control rabbits.

The APVMA assessed published and unpublished data and all other relevant information submitted to it relating to the potential for pindone to cause both primary and secondary poisonings in non-target animals, and looked at which species were likely to consume pindone, either in baits or as residues in rabbits.

The APVMA recommended that the supply and use of pindone be restricted to authorised persons; that instructions on the labels be changed to reduce the risk to non-target fauna; and that registrants needed to substantiate claims that pindone sodium salt had a shorter half-life than pindone acid and that it was relatively less potent than the acid form in most animals except the rabbit.

In May 2002, the APVMA released the Pindone review final report. The key findings of the review were that:

• baits containing pindone acid and baits containing pindone sodium pose a similar risk to non-target animals
• the supply of pindone products should be restricted to persons who have special knowledge, skill or qualifications in the preparation of pindone baits
• there was no evidence that non-target fauna were at undue risk of poisoning because of the unrestricted supply of pre-mixed ready-to-use pindone baits
• the product labels did not carry adequate information for the safe conduct of a rabbit baiting program
• the risks associated with the use of pindone could be managed by providing adequate instructions on all product labels.

In the final report, APVMA recommended:

• declaring pindone concentrates to be restricted chemical products
• amending label instructions to include information to help reduce the risk of poisoning to non-target fauna by providing advice on:
  • the need for assessing the baiting area for potential non-target exposure and measures to minimise non-target exposure
  • appropriate restraints on the use of product
  • baiting programs and techniques
  • areas where pindone baits should not be used or where additional precautions should be taken.