Contrary to scaremongering by the Greens, the Government is strengthening and modernising our approach to the pesticide monitoring of Tasmanian waterways.
A new chemical audit program is being developed based on information obtained from the existing Pesticide Water Monitoring Program.
The proposal is that the current program would be integrated into a revised chemical audit program that will introduce a more targeted and risk-based monitoring program.
The current program has served its purpose of increasing knowledge and understanding as to the nature and extent of pesticide contamination in Tasmania.
What we need moving forward is a program that reflects the actual risk.
It is important to note that while there have been some low level detections of pesticides, all have been below the levels specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and, therefore, have not presented a threat to human health.
That the Greens would seek to scare Tasmanians and damage our reputation in an attempt to score a cheap political point is as reprehensive as it is unsurprising.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
