BAN TRIAZINE CHEMICALS E-PETITION LAUNCHED

The Tasmanian Greens today announced that an e-petition calling on the State Government to ban the use of the triazine group of chemicals has been launched, and is now available on the Parliament House website (see link below).

Greens Water spokesperson Tim Morris MP, who has sponsored this e-petition, said that triazines, such as Atrazine and Simazine, have appeared in Tasmania’s rivers and waterways with alarming frequency for over a decade, and that it is past time that the Bartlett government took decisive action to protect the health of both the community and the environment.

“For far too long, triazines, which include Atrazine and Simazine, have polluted our waterways, including Atrazine being found in the River Derwent, and have appeared in drinking water,” Mr Morris said.

“These chemicals are known to be persistent endocrine disrupters, and have been linked to many serious health issues including impacts on immune system functioning, and cancer risks.”

“It was once the policy position of the State Labor party to ban the triazine group of chemicals, but unfortunately they did not have the courage of their convictions at the time and failed to follow through.”

“I thank Dr. Alison Bleaney and the Break O’Day Catchment Group for bringing forward this matter, I am proud to be sponsoring this very important petition and I urge everyone who is fed up with the ongoing chemical contamination of our waterways to get online and sign up to this call to have Triazines banned,” Mr Morris said.

Atrazine is no longer used by Forestry Tasmania, however Simazine is still in broad use across the forestry and agricultural sectors.

Parliament House Web Address for Petition: HERE
Tim Morris MP Greens Water spokesperson