Endosulfan
Recently we made a submission to the Environmental Risk Management Authority regarding the continued use of Endosulfan in New Zealand.
In view of accumulated scientific evidence casting increasing doubt on its safety and revealing its high toxicity, we requested that a precautionary approach be taken towards Endosulfan.
We asked for a complete ban on all uses of Endosulfan and the deregistration of all formulations.
The reasons were:
Endosulfan is a highly toxic, persistent, and bio-accumulative organochlorine, any use of which is contrary to the principles of the HSNO Act and to the Treaty of Waitangi.; and
It is broad spectrum and we felt that its use threatens the viability of Monarch and indigenous butterflies, and that this risk outweighs any reputed benefits fromits use; and
There is significant scientific data showing the negative effects of Endosulfan, evidence which it is unacceptable to dismiss simply because it is inconclusive; and
We objected to the ongoing contamination of our own environemnt as a result of its use in this country.
We requested that ERMA take into consideration the likely contamination of our biota, given the evidence of such contamination overseas.
Our submission is attached and can be downloaded (click on the blue link “Endosulfan” above - it is a pdf file).
