Ban fumigant, steam imported fruit and veg, say Greens

The Greens are calling for an end to methyl bromide fumigation of imported fruit and vegetables.

Green Party safe food and health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley also said the fumigant should not be used in containers in residential and urban areas.

A parliamentary select committee recently recommended stricter controls on the use of methyl bromide after more than 1400 people signed a petition for it to be banned.

The petition, signed by Nelson-based Campaigners Against Toxic Sprays chairwoman Claire Gulman and 1452 others, followed the controversial use of the fumigant at the Port of Nelson.

It has been blamed for ill health and deaths suffered by workers and nearby residents.

Ms Kedgley said safer alternatives such as steaming fruit should be used as the gas was ozone depleting.

Parliament's local government and environment committee was given a list of 6000 sites in New Zealand, many in residential areas, where containers were fumigated.

Ms Kedgley said fumigation should be limited to dedicated sites in industrial zones. She advocated recapture of gas which is done in some Australian states.

The committee also recommended recapture and advised the Government to get the Environmental Risk Management Authority to reassess the chemical and set new conditions urgently.

The Ministry of Health too would be encouraged to monitor the long-term health of people reportedly exposed to methyl bromide.

The petition asked Parliament to legislate to phase out methyl bromide use by 2010 after concerns about a possible link between the fumigant and cases of motor-neurone disease in people who had worked in the Nelson port area.

The committee did not find evidence of the link but said it was unsatisfied with health monitoring offered to affected people.


METHYL BROMIDE

* Fumigant for killing pests on export timber and MAF quarantine.

* Injected into soil before planting strawberries, grapes, almonds.

* Recognised hazardous substance.


- NZPA