[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Protect Tasmanians from Pesticide Contamination_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PROTECT TASMANIANS (AND OUR BRAND) FROM PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION

Time for Tasmania to Follow EU Lead

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Environment Spokesperson

Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Bartlett Government to move to
ban endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive and developmentally
toxic pesticides from use in Tasmania, due to fears about their
long-term effects on human health and reproduction, following the
European Union decision to remove these chemicals from use across
Europe. The EU also voted to protect water catchments and food from
chemical contamination, and upheld its current ban on aerial spraying of
pesticides. [i]

Greens Shadow Environment spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP said the EU has
recognised that certain agricultural chemicals represent a serious
threat to human health and it has taken the necessary precautionary
action. The Bartlett Government needs to put the health of Tasmanians
ahead of the corporate interests of the forestry industry, and follow
the EU's lead.

"In a time of global uncertainty and financial crises, Tasmania's
'Clean, Green and Clever' brand is more important than ever, but the
regular chemical contamination of Tasmanian land and waterways is a
major threat to our brand, as well as the health of Tasmanians
themselves," said Ms O'Connor.

"It is time for Tasmania to shield its brand from the regular chemical
contamination that the state has been experiencing for years now, by
moving to harmonise regulations on chemical licensing and use with those
being developed by the EU."

"The recent decision by Gunns Limited to use an organic product instead
of an MCPA-based pesticide when spraying near the home and business of
Wyena couple Howard and Michelle Carpenter is notable as the EU decision
on pesticide use also calls for the replacement of hazardous products
where safer alternatives are shown to exist.

"The decision by Gunns to use a lower-toxicity pesticide when spraying
near the Carpenter's home indicates that it is possible to reduce the
use of highly-toxic pesticides in Tasmania without removing the ability
of farmers to control insect growth on their land, but Gunns appear to
only use this organic pesticide when media coverage is likely." 

"The health of Tasmanians should be the main priority of the Bartlett
Government, but unfortunately, when it comes to forestry issues this
government will not confront Gunns over its pesticide use," said Ms
O'Connor.


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Reference [i]: European Union Parliament, "Safety First for Pesticides,"
5 November 2008,
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-41253-308-1
1-45-911-20081103IPR41252-03-11-2008-2008-false/default_es.htm




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