Sodium fluoroacetate is the' salt ' form of fluoroacetate. Fluoroacetate is the toxic component of 1080, which occurs naturally in some poisonous plants, including species native to Australia, Africa and Brazil [1].

The salt form of fluoroacetate is used because it is highly water-soluble and the white powder is readily formulated into bait products. Once in water, the sodium bond (Na+) dissociates, leaving fluoroacetate in solution. Therefore after ingestion, 1080 works the same as naturally occurring fluoroacetate [2].

Once within the body, the NA+ bond dissociates, and the fluoroacetate is converted to fluorocitrate. Fluorocitrate affects the function of several enzymes but in particular inhibits the enzyme aconitase [3] , a critical enzyme of the Krebs cycle, which is a metabolic pathway that converts food into energy used for normal cell function. Sufficient inhibition of energy production of cells in this way results in vital functions of the body to stop. Herbivores usually die of heart failure, whereas carnivores are more likely to die of respiratory failure [4].

A report commissioned in 2009 by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) rated the humaneness of death by 1080 poisoning for possums as grade 6 [5] , with grade 1 being the most humane and 8, the least humane [6] . This score takes into consideration the overall impact and its duration of a range of welfare compromises.