11 Jul 2010
Plans to treat a log shipment with 1.5 tonnes of methyl bromide at Burnie Port in Tasmania have been abandoned following a public outcry. The fumigation has now taken place at sea
The Tasmanian minister for primary industries, Bryan Green, told parliament that the pesticide was currently regulated by the Federal Government but he had asked his department to look at other options to control its use."It will examine whether a legislative mechanism can be applied that requires that any party that is considering large scale methyl bromide use, and release, makes an application to the state regulator prior to the proposed chemical use occurring."
He says there are no plans for further log shipments to China. Marine and Safety Tasmania has put in place a 100 metre exclusion zone around the ship with a penalty of up to $26,000.
The Green Party's Paul O'Halloran says he is worried about the crew of the Chinese log ship, ID Black Sea, that docked at Burnie yesterday. "I'm hoping that overseas vulnerable ship workers are not on board when fumigation goes ahead."
Mr O'Halloran backed his arguments by referring to false allegations by the Maritime Union of New Zealand that the gas may have been implicated in the death of between four to six NZ port workers. He did not refer to the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board report which said there was no evidence linking deaths among former workers at Port Nelson with the use of methyl bromide at the port.
“The precautionary principle must apply to the residents of Burnie and their environment,” he said.
“If this fumigation process on these logs cannot be closed-loop, without any gas leaking out into the environment or coming into contact with any workers or residents, then it must not proceed.
“We now know that the potential role of methyl bromide in the death of four to six NZ port workers is under investigation, in particular any possible links the gas has with motor neurone disease. Any responsible government would put the use of this gas on hold while these investigations are underway.
“Nobody disputes the importance of quarantine measures, but it is as equally important that any measures are safe.”
“The use of methyl bromide for vegetable exports, which remains contentious in the eyes of some, occurs in a sealed environment with the gas contained. TasPorts proposal for these logs is to let the gas leak into the atmosphere which is unacceptable.”
Forestry Tasmania General Manager of Corporate Relations and Tourism Ken Jeffreys said inaccurate media reports had contributed to a level of unnecessary concern.
“For example, the amount of methyl bromide to be used had risen from initial media reports of 1.5 tonnes, to 13 tonnes and to now at 1.5 million tonnes. That’s clearly ridiculous.
“Secondly, the media are reporting that nine shipments are proposed. Over the next 12 months, Forestry Tasmania has between 30,000 tonnes and 40,000 tonnes of pulpwood grade pine available for export. Even if all of that was to go to China where fumigation is required, the maximum number of ships would be three."
Mr Jeffreys said Forestry Tasmania has a proud record of reducing chemical use.
“Given community concern, we will look every available option to minimise the use of methyl bromide, and that means seeking identify alternative markets for the pine, perhaps to countries that do not require methyl bromide."
Mr Jeffreys said each shipment was putting $1.5 million back into the pockets of contractors.
“We have left no stone unturned in identifying new markets to keep contractors in work. They have been through a hard time, and this work is putting bread on their table for these contractors."
Sources: ABC News, Green Party of Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania