Tests pinpoint deadly corella poison

A warning not to use the poison called Phosdrin. Photo by Leonard John MatthewsDEPARTMENT of Sustainability and Environment staff have confirmed that chemical Phosdrin poisoned about 300 corellas in the Burnt Creek area last month.

Wimmera department manager Geoff Evans said Horsham police and department staff decided to name the chemical to highlight its extreme danger.

They have encouraged people possessing Phosdrin to hand it into the department for safe disposal.

Detective Sergeant Philip Nicks said it was not illegal to possess the chemical but its only legitimate use was to control diamond-backed moths in cabbage and cauliflower crops in vegetable-growing areas.

"There is no legitimate reason why anyone in the Wimmera can now use Phosdrin," he said.

"It is like some other chemicals that were once more freely available but it is now recognised as extremely dangerous to users and the environment."

Det Nicks said Phosdrin was used in the Wimmera as an insecticide in forage crops such as lucerne until about 10 years ago.

The department sent seven dead corellas and some wheat to the State Chemistry Laboratory at Werribee to identify the poison used to kill the birds.

Mr Evans said the department would help people dispose of Phosdrin supplies.

"People who still have possession of Phosdrin can call the Horsham office and we will arrange to have it disposed of by a registered person in a proper manner."

Mr Evans said police, Horsham Rural City Council and Department of Primary Industries chemical standards staff had worked with the Department of Sustainability and Environment throughout the poisoning investigation.

He said the department's corella control program for most of Victoria was run from Horsham.

"While most people in the community recognise the extreme frustration of living among large flocks of corellas, poisoning is not an acceptable answer," Mr Evans said.

"Our ultimate measure is to implement a trapping and gassing program but we need to work with councils and communities to implement such programs."