Dear Michelle: $70m for no foxes as cancer increases

Dear Michelle

And of course atrazine, especially in Tasmania with its long half life, along with other endocrine disrupting chemicals have the ability to harm breast development – see below.

Why are our regulators and our public health bodies not taking a more proactive / precautionary stance on these issues?

Both Federal and Tasmanian State Governments have thrown approx $70 million dollars at preventative measures to ensure foxes do not get a foothold in Tasmania, with no fox ever photographed.

Meanwhile breast problems and cancer increase.

Where is the rationale in the difference approaches?

Or does human suffering and life itself matter less than trade?

Is this fair?

Who gets to choose the priorities?

Regards
Alison

Dr Alison Bleaney OBE – spokesperson for http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Pollution_Information_Tasmania
MB ChB FACRRM

To: Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au; ‘Windsor, Tony (MP)’; robert.oakeshott.mp@aph.gov.au; bob.katter.mp@aph.gov.au; toowoomba.south@parliament.qld.gov.au; ‘Langley, Andrew @ Health’
Subject: Scientists warn that chemicals may be altering breast development.

Dear Nicola,

Scientists warn that chemicals may be altering breast development. Exposure to chemicals early in life may alter how breast tissue develops and raise the risks of breast cancer and lactation problems later in life, scientists concluded in a set of reports published Wednesday. Environmental Health News
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/altered-mammary-glands/document_view

“If we care about chemicals and breast cancer, or other breast effects, we have to look at the breast tissue when we test the chemicals. That is not currently what is happening,” Rudel said.
http://silentspring.org/our-research/environment-and-breast-cancer-science-reviews

Australia’s chemical regulators- APVMA and NICNAS, have not undertaken these screening tests on the myriad of products they approve for use in Australia.
The scientists are clearly suggesting there is a need to change this.

Why is APVMA ignoring the science, preferring to simply deny there is any problem? A ground-up rebuild of a safe regulator is needed- this body is demonstrably dangerously dysfunctional. Australia’s women deserve better.

Last year 14,000 Australian women were diagnosed with breast cancer and the rate of breast cancers is continuing to grow. The cost of pharmaceuticals for one year’s treatment can exceed $30,000 per patient.
The health budget cannot sustain this, and women and their families should be protected by our regulator.

Please urgently consider these preventative health actions to control chemical use and exposure.

Regards
Matt

Dr Matt Landos BVSc(HonsI)MACVS

Director, Future Fisheries Veterinary Service Pty Ltd