1.1
The Greens support aspects of the committee's majority report, in
particular relating to the impacts of the APVMA relocation to Armidale and the
need for our chemical regulator to have the appropriate resourcing to ensure
that our agricultural and veterinary chemicals are safe for use as directed. Protecting
the health of people and the environment is one of the most important roles
for Government.
1.2
However the Greens do not agree with the committee views in relation to
both glyphosate specifically or to chemical safety overall.
1.3
Despite the statement by the committee that the process undertaken to be
'robust', we find that the contradictions of the APVMA's statements warrant a
different finding.
1.4
Under questions during the 2018 Supplementary Budget Estimates, the CEO
of the APVMA, Dr Parker, admitted that he agreed with the IARC finding that
glyphosate was 'probably carcinogenic'.
Senator Rice: Not talking about whether it is a risk but in
terms of it being a hazard—this is that risk assessment being a hazard, timed
exposure, essentially—do you accept the IARC findings that glyphosate is
probably carcinogenic?
Dr Parker: Yes.[1]
1.5
This was confirmed by the Executive Director of the Scientific
Assessment and Chemical Review Division, Dr Lutze, who agreed with Dr Parker:
Senator Rice: Yes. But what I'm trying to get to is whether
in APVMA—and in that assessment—there was acceptance of that IARC finding,
which was essentially a change in the understanding of the hazard of
glyphosate?
Dr Lutze: I've already answered yes.[2]
1.6
The APVMA's statement in relation to glyphosate on their website makes
it clear that the risk of any particular chemical is a product of the hazard of
that chemical and the exposure risk of that chemical.[3]
By admitting that the IARC findings may have bearing on the hazard of
glyphosate, it is impossible to conclude that this would then not impact on the
chemical risk of glyphosate.
1.7
Given the magnitude of the claims of the impact of glyphosate on human
health, such a shift in one component of the chemical risk formula warrants a
much more comprehensive review than the APVMA has conducted. Anything less than
a full and thorough independent review of glyphosate in light of the IARC
findings is entirely insufficient.
Recommendation 1
1.8 That the Commonwealth Government order the conduct of a full and
independent review of the chemical risk of glyphosate immediately.
1.9
The ad-hoc nature of our current regime for chemical review, as
demonstrated by the approach of the APVMA to community concerns about
glyphosate, is clearly not up to the task of keeping our community and
environment safe.
1.10
The irony is that a mandatory scheme for re-approval and re-registration
of registered products was introduced in the Agricultural and Veterinary
Chemicals Legislation Amendment Act 2013, but this was
repealed before coming into effect by the Coalition Government with the support
of the Labor Opposition in 2014.
1.11
The need for such a system is overwhelming. As identified by Ms Joanna
Immig from the National Toxics Network, many chemicals currently approved and
in use in Australia have not been reviewed since the Agricultural and Veterinary
Chemicals Act 1994 began. Even more concerningly, there are
products that have been under continuous review for decades, including numerous
chemicals that are already banned in many overseas constituencies.[4]
1.12
There were genuine concerns voiced in the inquiry about the independence
of the decisions of the APVMA and the Ministers who influence them.[5]
Multiple witnesses pointed to the relationship between political parties and
the agricultural chemical sector, singling out the role of both corporate
donations to political parties and the influence of lobbyists with high level
connections to political elites.
1.13
A legislated mandatory requirement to conduct appropriate reviews and
re-registrations would remove much of the discretionary latitude available to
the APVMA and help improve confidence in the independence of its decision
making.
Recommendation 2
1.14
That the Government introduce legislation to reinstate the APVMA re-approval
and re-registration scheme that was repealed in 2014.
Senator Janet Rice
Australian
Greens
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