Page 3279 - Week 12 - Thursday, 19 November 1992
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The National Health and Medical Research Council working party is currently reviewing the use of organochlorine pesticides in Australia and has produced a draft report for public comment. That report recommends that only two organochlorine pesticides, chlordane and heptachlor, be allowed to be used for termite treatment in the construction of buildings but not for the treatment of infestations in existing buildings. The report also recommends that the use of chlordane and heptachlor be reviewed in five years and that further use be prohibited if satisfactory physical or chemical alternatives have been developed. A final report is expected to be presented to the National Health and Medical Research Council before the end of this month.
Recent discussions with officers of the NHMRC have indicated that as a result of responses to their draft report it is likely that the proposed phase-out of organochlorines will now be recommended over two years and not five years as originally suggested. In view of this likely change to the phase-out period and because of ACT community concerns expressed in response to the discussion paper we put out, the Government is now considering an earlier phase-out of organochlorines. A two-stage process is proposed whereby the use of organochlorines in the ACT would be completely banned by 1 December 1993. In stage one it is proposed to ban their use in all existing buildings from 1 December 1992 but permit the use of less toxic organophosphates as an alternative control method. In this case the facility would exist to issue a permit, under exceptional circumstances, to use a single treatment organochlorine pesticide where organophosphate treatment was ineffective. In stage two organochlorine treatment of building sites prior to construction would be banned from 1 December 1993, subject to the proviso that suitable alternative chemical or physical control methods are available in the ACT.
At this time a physical barrier system for use under slabs during construction has been tested by CSIRO and approved for use in Western Australia. Other physical measures are being tested for effectiveness. A reticulation system comprising pipes laid under slabs to allow the application of less toxic chemicals at appropriate intervals is also being investigated. Any total phase-out of organochlorine use would be given sufficient notice to enable manufacturers to establish outlets for their products in the ACT and would be preceded by an education program to inform the public of both the extent of the termite problem in the Canberra region and appropriate control methods for the level of risk faced.
The implications for industry of a ban on organochlorine use are not expected to be significantly adverse. Having regard to the intention to continue using organophosphates and the current relatively infrequent use of organochlorines, it is unlikely that the local pest control industry will be appreciably affected. Any adverse effect on pest controllers would be offset in the building industry by the installation of alternative physical measures. I commend to the Assembly this proposal to phase out the use of organochlorines. I present the following paper:
Organochlorine Pesticides - Banning - Ministerial statement, 19 November 1992.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Westende) adjourned.
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