News revealed today that forestry toxins are contaminating river and drinking water catchments in North-East Tasmania are more proof of politicians’ failure to properly regulate forestry, says Environment Tasmania.

The conservation group said the revelations are worth a dedicated leaders’ debate in the election.

“For years, a local GP sounded the alarm over toxins and water quality, and for years, she was ignored by our politicians and regulatory authorities,” said Dr Phill Pullinger, Director of Environment Tasmania. “If toxins in our water won’t get Tasmania’s political leaders to take regulation seriously, what will?”

“When you also consider the recent findings of major systemic problems in forest governance in Tasmania*, one has to once again ask each political leader ‘What will your party do to clean up and reform this flawed, outdated and conflicting forest governance and regulatory structure? It’s long past time the needs of ordinary Tasmanians came before the interests of powerful timber companies.”

Dr Pullinger said the toxics scandal came to light without any help from the Government, and credited Alison Bleaney for her tireless dedication.

“Dr Bleaney’s work provides another example of an imbalanced and hopelessly flawed forestry regulation system,” he said.

In demanding a dedicated debate, Dr Pullinger also said there should be a full scientific inquiry into how the toxins entered water—and why, despite warnings, unsustainable forestry was allowed to go on. He said he is particularly concerned about how Forestry Tasmania’s ‘genetic improvement’ plantation breeding program** failed to properly identify these toxins and their water quality implications, where the precautionary principle should have been applied.

Environment Tasmania is the peak body for Tasmanian environment & conservation groups – and represents over 20 Tasmanian environment groups with collective representation of over 5000 Tasmanians.

* “Levelling the playing field: Reforming forestry governance iin Tasmania” February 2010, CS Dev Associates, commissioned and published by Environment Tasmania (On E.T’s website at: www.et.org.au).

** FT web site: re E.nitens genetic improvement program:

http://www.forestrytas.com.au/science/research-stories/new-seed-orchard-advances-e-nitens-genetic-improvement-program
Dr Phill Pullinger Director Environment Tasmania The Conservation Council