ENVIRONMENTAL, MEDICAL AND GROWER GROUPS CALL ON MINISTER TO PROTECT CROPS FROM HAZARDOUS WASTE

Tuesday, 16 July 2002 10:00

Peak environmental, medical and grower groups have jointly called on the Federal Environment Minister, David Kemp to cease the importation of all hazardous waste materials for use on Australian agriculture, Total Environment Centre said today.

"Our joint letter is a response to the wide community concern at the practice of using hazardous waste as fertiliser. The Federal Minister must respond to the community's criticism and ban the importation of all hazardous waste," said Ben Cole, Chemicals campaigner at the Total Environment Centre.

Total Environment Centre, Greenpeace, Australian Conservation Foundation, Nature Conservation Council, Biological Farmers of Australia and the Doctors Reform Society are all signatories to the letter. The letter has also been forwarded to Environment Australia who will be assessing the application.

"The inherent risks of accidental spills, groundwater contamination and contamination of agricultural produce are all valid reasons for refusing the application. The application must be refused to set a clear precedent that hazardous waste cannot be imported and then distributed throughout Australia."

"A major concern is the hazardous waste contains undisclosed amounts of the herbicide glyphosate. The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering recently recommended that recording all pesticide use was an essential element in their effective management. The practice of spreading unknown amounts of herbicides when applying fertiliser would make this recommendation unmanageable."

"The European community is making it clear that producers will be held responsible for their environmental performance. Australian agriculture cannot afford to lose its clean, green image at this crucial time. It is clear that using imported hazardous waste to feed Australian crops is environmentally and economically unsustainable."