Minister must release poppy import advice

MINISTER MUST RELEASE POPPY IMPORT ADVICE

Kim Booth MP
Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson
Wednesday, 22 August 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Primary Industries Minister Bryan Green to release all advice he has received on the proposal by TPI Enterprises to import poppy straw into Tasmania.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that serious questions remained over the biosecurity and economic risks posed by the decision by TPI Enterprises.

“The Greens are very concerned about this decision, and we believe that the public has a right to see the advice from the Poppy Advisory and Control Board,” Mr Booth said.

“The Minister needs to confirm that he has fully considered the possible biosecurity risks to the industry, and the Greens aren’t yet convinced that this has occurred.”

“The Minister wouldn’t confirm whether state or federal departments responsible for oversight of the industry had been asked to conduct an import risk assessment before he threw the weight of his government behind supporting TPI request to import poppy straw.”

“The industry has worked very hard to establish Tasmania as the world’s poppy growing hub and there are plans to continue expansion. Now is not the time to risk throwing our reputation and future away.”

“The last thing we want to do is send a signal to competitors and buyers that we can’t deliver the capacity to meet the massive and growing demand for pharmaceuticals.”

“Every tonne of poppy material imported is a tonne of poppy not grown by a Tasmanian farmer.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson Wednesday, 22 August 2012