Any figures for Tasmania?

Ian Cohen NSW Parliament

Can the Minister assure the House that the chemicals simazine, atrazine and hexazinone, which have been banned in the European Union, are not being used on State Forests plantations? What measures are being taken to keep records of the usage of the chemicals on private land, including in agriculture, given their dangerous health affects?

STATE FORESTS CHEMICAL USE in NSW

Mr IAN COHEN:

My question is for the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for Mineral Resources, and Minister for State Development. Is the Minister aware that visiting United States Professor Tyrone Hayes has condemned Tasmania’s drinking water, saying chemical contamination from forestry activities potentially made it dangerous? Can the Minister assure the House that the chemicals simazine, atrazine and hexazinone, which have been banned in the European Union, are not being used on State Forests plantations? What measures are being taken to keep records of the usage of the chemicals on private land, including in agriculture, given their dangerous health affects?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD:

I am glad Mr Ian Cohen has an interest in the chemicals atrazine and simazine. I noted his interest in the genetically modified food debate some time ago. One of the advantages of genetically modified canola – not that I am making any statement about it here that should be read into further – is that it is unlike the canola we currently use in this State, which uses massive amounts of both these chemicals to control weeds – which is something I have not heard Mr Ian Cohen complain about in recent times. Yes, we use a range of chemicals, and they are used within the prescribed limits. I do not necessarily accept the evidence in relation to Tasmania.

Alison Bleaney: And how much atrazine, simazine and hexazinone or any other triazine herbicide for that matter, do we use in Tasmania’s forestry? Ie, all of Forestry Tasmania and all other private timber companies?

Any figures for whole of Tasmanian agriculture?

Is anyone prepared to give figures for the last financial year on Tasmanian Times?