The NSW Government will not be encouraging the Federal Government to limit the use of an agricultural chemical linked to Parkinson's Disease, despite the chemical being subject to a new review and consultation process by the Australian Poisons and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Recent reporting from the ABC has exposed the Paraquat issues, and escalated calls from Parkinson's Australia that the chemical should be banned.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Agriculture and Regional NSW Sue Higginson said "I asked the Minister for Agriculture in Parliament what she is doing to help regional communities, and the environment, to reduce the use of this chemical. I did not expect the answer I received - she is doing nothing. I was shocked that she actually dodged the question and pointed to the Federal Government,"
"It is just absurd that the Minister for Agriculture is not doing anything when it is the NSW Government that regulates the use of chemicals in NSW and is responsible for the health of our communities and environment. To just try to fob this off to the Federal Government because the APVMA controls the registration, licensing and import and production is irresponsible and a dereliction of duty. I find it extremely concerning that the NSW Government is not interested in proactively working to protect regional communities from seriously harmful chemicals like Paraquat"
"The APVMA is allowing this chemical to be used while under review since 1997, and this new review cannot be expected to deliver a safer regulatory framework for the chemical in NSW, especially if the NSW Government is not willing to go in to bat for our regional communities and environments,"
"There are communities across NSW that have been fighting for better chemical regulation in NSW for years, they were ignored under the former Government and nothing seems to have changed for them under the Minns Labor Government,"
"We've been left to fend for ourselves once again. I'm calling on anyone in the community with expertise, experience or opinions related to the Paraquat to make a submission to the review now,"
"NSW is continuing to build a toxic legacy, and it is caused by successive Governments failing to stand up for communities and the environment. The Greens will keep fighting alongside communities and advocates for an evidence and risk based approach for chemical use in NSW and Australia, it appears that NSW Labor is not willing to do the same," Ms Higginson said.
