[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Seafood Industry Council Expresses Pesticide Concern_T Morris MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

SEAFOOD INDUSTRY COUNCIL LATEST TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT CHEMICAL
CONTAMINATION
 
Chemical Trespass Legislation is Needed NOW

Tim Morris MP
Greens Water Spokesperson

Thursday, 27 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on Primary Industries Minister David
Llewellyn to take action to prevent the regular chemical contamination
on Tasmanian rivers and waterways, following the Minister's confirmation
that he has received a letter from the Tasmanian Seafood Industry
Council expressing concerns about the use and regulation of pesticides
and other agricultural chemicals in Tasmania, and about the downstream
effects of these chemicals on oyster farmers.

Greens Water spokesperson Tim Morris MP said Tasmanian rivers and
waterways are being regularly contaminated with toxic pesticides and
herbicides, yet the Bartlett Government and Minister Llewellyn have done
nothing to prevent these ongoing contamination events, leading to
concern from oyster growers that their stock may be contaminated and
their businesses ruined by waterborne agricultural chemicals.

Mr Morris also said that the Greens have been trying for many years to
pass chemical trespass legislation which would make it an offence to
apply any toxic agricultural chemical that ends up contaminating
neighbour's properties or businesses.

"The Seafood Industry Council is the latest in a long list of Tasmanian
water users to express concerns about contamination of their stock and
possible ruination of their businesses, and the Greens share their
concerns" said Mr Morris.

"The Minister's response in Parliament today, that he would take this
matter up with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA), is
totally unsatisfactory. It is the Minister who holds the power to
regulate and monitor the use of toxic agricultural chemicals, not the
TFGA."

"There are significant oyster growing operations at or near the mouths
of the Duck, Georges and Coal Rivers, and all three of these rivers have
recorded chemical contamination events in recent months and years."

"Minister Llewellyn must move to protect Tasmania's oyster farming
industry from the ongoing chemical contamination of our rivers and
waterways. Tasmania desperately requires improved regulation and
monitoring of toxic agricultural chemicals, as well as heavy penalties
for those who cause any chemical trespass onto neighbouring properties
or businesses," said Mr Morris.




Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.