Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

New Zealand currently has large scale possum and rabbit operations being carried out on about 103 of its land area. Education and training are integral to possum control in New Zealand because of the heavy reliance that the control agencies in New Zealand place on toxic baiting with 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate). Education of the general public is treated as a high priority since without their approval many of the operations would not be carried out. It is equally important that school children are advised on what toxic baits look like and why pest control operations are required. Training of pest control staff is also considered important as it is vital that all staff are well trained in the latest technology and at the same time can answer inquiries with the latest results of research.