via Dr ALISON BLEANEY
Responding to the editorial ‘Not weak on water’ Mercury 4th August.

My business, Elizabeth Town Hellebores, is a victim of the the careless and excessive use of herbicide chemicals. My wife and I lost the majority of our plants representing 15 years of breeding work to two 2,4-D drifts.

This same chemical is now to be found in disturbing quantity in the nearby Rubicon River. The response of both DPIW and its Minister have been wholly inadequate.

It must be assumed that the drift that had so disastrous an effect on our enterprise likewise deposited significant amounts of 2,4-D on the pastures of nearby dairy farms.

What guarantee do we, the public have that our food stuffs and water are not seriously contaminated?

The Tasmanian public requires and deserves a better standard of consideration of this troubling issue from our elected representatives and from our public servants.

John Dudley
[email protected]
ELIZABETH TOWN HELLEBORES
Corrie & John Dudley
P.O. Box 28 Deloraine 7304
Tasmania Australia

Toxic residues in food!

In response to the editorial (“Not weak on water” Mercury 4 August 2009), it’s not only the image of this state that is at risk, but the risk to human health of those who live here or visit this island.

Water from tanks, rivers and underground sources that has been found to be contaminated with so many chemicals including the Pesticide 2,4-D (banned in most countries) not only impacts directly on the health of those who drink this water but also is consumed by farm animals, as this same contaminated water is being used to irrigate pastures.

These noxious and dangerous chemicals are entering our food chain, impacting on health as the residues concentrate in common foods such as eggs, milk, cheese, meat, grain and vegetables.

It’s high time this Government, now aware of these contaminants, actually took some action rather than trotting out the glib slogan that we have ‘world’s best practice’.

Recently when passing through Elizabeth Town one evening I was almost overpowered with the noxious smell of 2,4-D vapour that had permeated into the car.

I was glad that I did not have any children or young tomato plants on board as they would have surely wilted.

Cheers,

Peter C. Sims OAM
(Former Industrial Chemist)
Quoiba