Since putting this article up on 27th March 97% of votes on our community poll have voted in the affirmative that Endosulfan should be banned in Australia!
BFA Media Release 22 March 2010
Organic offers a safe alternative to toxic endosulfan
Concerns have –re-surfaced about the permitted use in Australia of the broad-spectrum farm
chemical endosulfan.
Protestors concerned over Australia’s decision to continue using endosulfan – Australia having
elected not to join over 60 countries worldwide including New Zealand in implementing a ban
on the insecticide’s use - can find a safe alternative in certified organic food says Biological
Farmers of Australia (BFA).
BFA says Australian consumers can still choose to avoid contact with endosulfans and assist in
reducing pollution of the environment by opting for organic produce and supporting a nation-
wide move towards organic production.
“Organic is about healthy food choices. The prohibition of synthetic agri-chemicals, including all
of those linked with health and environmental concerns is a cornerstone of organic food
production,” says Holly Vyner, BFA Manager.
“Consumers that choose organic are often more aware of the potential side effects of farm
chemicals in the food chain, and are working consciously to minimise their contact with
environmental toxins.”
She says certified organic is often the only alternative for those people who genuinely want to
limit their exposure to farm chemical residues in food.
Endosulfan exposure is most likely to occur through food residues or through air contamination
through spray drift from farm crops. The chemical is not registered for use in or around the
home.
“Choosing organic eliminates health doubts over these and other chemical risks,” says Ms.
Vyner.
Jo Immig, the Coordinator and President of the National Toxics Network, says that this agri-
chemical has raised health alarms.
“Farm chemicals which are Persistent Environment Pollutants (POPs) are dangerous as they
linger in people and the environment, and later result in health issues – possibly crossing
generations in the process.
“Recent studies; 2006, 2007, 2008 show that endosulfan contaminates breast milk, the
umbilical cord blood of new born babies and even their mothers’ placenta,” says Jo.
“In 2008, the international scientific Persistent Environment Pollutants (POPs) Review
Committee concluded that endosulfan shares the same characteristics as pesticides, such as
dieldrin and heptachlor, which are already banned worldwide,” Jo says.
“Sixty-four countries have now banned endosulfan and there is a global scientific consensus
that it is a POP chemical and will more than likely be banned globally in the very near future.”
A large and growing market for organic fruits, vegetables and nuts, including macadamias, is
confirming that quality produce is able to be grown without the use of harsh agricultural
chemicals.
Biodynamic macadamia nut producer Marco Bobbert says that working without high exposure
to synthetic chemical farm products is “a weight off your mind”.
“There is a global shortfall in the organic macadamia market and ongoing remarkable growth in
export markets for organic macadamia kernels and oil,” he says.
ENDS
Media Contact:
National Toxic Network: (02) 6687 1900
Holly Vyner, BFA General Manager Ph: (07) 3350 5716 ext. 233; M: 0431 632 809
Jan Nary, BFA Media Department Ph: (07) 3350 5716 ext. 275; M: 0429 898 328
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17-12-09: Organic Crusader protects against unscrupulous organic labelling
