ENDOSULFAN LINGERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR BODIES

Information provided by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said instituting a ban similar to New Zealand’s was unnecessary, because conditions governing endosulfan’s use here had always been much tighter.

However, the co-ordinator of the National Toxic Network, Jo Innig, disputes this.

“The reality is the majority of uses in Australia are similar to that in New Zealand and other countries and the toxicity risks are the same no matter which way you look at it.”

Late yesterday, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, said he would seek a briefing from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority on the difference between Australia and New Zealand’s use of the pesticide.