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Households threatened by lack of safeguards on chemicals
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Chemicals banned in Europe and the USA are allowed into NSW homes by an inadequate regulatory system, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Commenting on the release of a report by the consumer organisation Choice, Dr Kaye said: “Chemicals with serious impacts on human health are still freely available in Australian supermarkets in pesticides and pet products.
“The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is failing consumers by taking a soft approach to regulating household chemicals.
“The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, should be working with his federal colleagues to throw the onus of proof of safety onto the corporation pushing the chemical.
“APVMA’s hands-off safe-until-proven-dangerous approach stands in stark contrast to the level of protection offered by European regulators.
“European manufacturers and importers are required to prove their product is safe before it is released into households.
“Australian households are still able to buy and use cockroach and ant killing products containing chemicals such as chloropyrifos.
“This organophosphate has been banned for domestic use in the USA since 2000, after it was associated with unacceptable risks of neurological and behavioural development in children.
“In Australia, the profits of the large pesticide companies are being put ahead of the health and safety of children.
“The precautionary principle should be applied to all chemical products.
“If it cannot be proven to be absolutely safe then the product should not be given a green light,” Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
The Choice report is available Here
