I think it important for all groups interested in ‘sustainable catchment activities’ to consider the findings contained in the Executive Summary of the Endocrine Society’s 2nd Scientific Statement on EDCs (EDC-2), just published this month. The full report will be released soon and includes a review of over 1300 articles, most from the peer-reviewed literature. The overall conclusion is that EDCs are a real and relevant health concern.
In consideration of the derogations applied for by companies managing forestry in Australia for pesticides to FSC, it must be pointed out that the established EDCs are amitrole, alpha-cypermethrin, fipronil, copper, picloram, glufosinate with no full knowledge regarding 1080 and pindone (the full science is not yet in and so they cannot be considered ‘safe’ chemicals).
The summary’s concluding remarks include the following statements:
• There are other points that several of the authors of this statement would like to raise with respect to precaution. It simply is not reasonable to assume a chemical is safe until proven otherwise.
• Educate the public, the media, politicians, and governmental agencies on ways to keep EDCs out of food, water, and air and to protect developing children in particular.
FSC projects itself as a ‘green and sustainable certification’.
It needs to be at the forefront of current knowledge on chemicals and practices which are known to damage environmental and human health – it needs to divest itself from such current activities.
FSC needs to consider this when giving out derogations for hazardous pesticides.
Download …
Gore_2015_Endo_Society_2_Executive_Summary_ePub.pdf
• John Hawkin in Comments: On Tuesday two weeks ago I was crossing the bridge over the river Esk at Hadspen when a log truck coming in the opposite direction lost a complete wheel off the trailer. The wheel crossed the road and hit the guard rail on my side spinning along the rail it passed me and two other cars before running off the bridge into the bush. None of us had anywhere to go. I reported the matter to the police emergency number as the truck seemed unaware and did not stop. I have heard nothing since what action did the police take? That is the second time I have nearly been killed by a log truck in 12 years. If there is a third time will they get lucky?
• Scott C in Comments: … Here are the seven crashes involving log trucks that I’ve seen reported in the media so far in 2015. Note that I don’t go out of my way to search for these incidents in the media: I simply take note when I come across them. I’m sure that there have been other crashes that I’m not aware of. …
• John Hayward in Comments: At least until recently, you could get a free taste of alpha-cypermethrin by being down-wind of a forestry spray, as I was a few years ago before losing consciousness, while you could get free fipronil for you European wasps direct from DPIPWE. Potential complainants, however, are advised to first boost their LibLab contributions to supra-corporate levels.
• Dr Alison Bleaney in Comments: The link HEREbelow is the info to be discussed on behalf of FSC – why highly hazardous pesticides (including 1080 but not in Tas Plantations thankfully) need to be used in water catchments is down simply to economic viability and profit…it is pretty hard to believe that FSC will go along with this line of reasoning in the light of current scientific knowledge..so so disappointing FSC and those companies/forestry/plantation/pundits who feel that this approach is acceptable. Profit in plantations wins over health concerns yet again. BTW, will there be any profits ?
