POISONS ACT LICENCES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 15

POISONS ACT LICENCES

Responsibility Explained

Many of those who need licences under the new Poisons Act do not seem to realise it. the senior inspector of health. Christchurch (Mr J. B. Snoad) said yesterday. Only two applications had so far been received from people who had not previously had licences. Mr Snoad said. Among those who now needed licences were people who packed for sale any of the poisonous substances listed in the fourth schedule of the act, and representatives of medical and agricultural firms who took round poisons as samples. “Fourth schedule” substances included many insecticides, rabbit, rat. and mouse poisons, photographic chemicals, oxalic acid, metaldehyde. hydrochloric acid, and zinc chloride intended for industrial purposes. “For Sale” Mr Snoad drew attention to the wide definition in the act of the words “for sale.” The act specified that "sale" includes barter, as well as "offering or attempting to sell or having in possession for sale, or sending or delivery for sale; or causing or allowing to be sold, offered, or exposed for sale.” It also means “the disposal of any poison or poisonous substance by way of gift, loan, or otherwise,” where the term "gift” includes “the giving or distribution of any poison, in the course of business, without charge or as a sample.” The definition of "gift” included the work of a medical detailer or stock and station agent salesman. Previously, these people had been covered by the general poisons licence of their employers. but they now needed a personal "hawker’s licence." A licence was not necessary for selling poisonous substances as listed in the fourth schedule, Mr Snoad added, but people selling poisons, as described in other schedules, did need a licence. This had also been the case, however before the introduction of the new regulations.