A big hats off to Dr Bleaney and her colleagues for raising this matter and getting a result.

Since this will set a precedent, we can probably expect resistance from the Dark Side.

Well it’s a step in the right direction.
Long overdue and my bet is on the dogged determination of people like Alison Bleaney that finally helped this fantastic decision across the line.
Don’t stop there however, there is a hell of a long way to go yet.

So robert legge opposed the ban LET THE WATER DRINKING VOTERS KNOW THAT HE HOLDS CORPORATE PROFFITS ABOVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE .A letter box delivery just before the next election telling the people where he stands on this issue ..LET HIM BE JUDGED BY THE WATER DRINKING VOTERS .Well done Alison .First they ignore you then they laugh at you then they fight you THEN YOU WIN .Quote Gandhi. Citizen of the year you deserve it!!!!!!!.

The BODC minutes of the July 08 Council meeting are now on the web site http://www.bodc.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Council_Minutes_14_July__2008_PUBLIC.pdf

The motions carried (6 for and Mayor Legge against) were
1 - Aerial spraying and ground spraying should not be combined in the same piece of legislation.  The risks and effect of aerial spraying are significantly higher and a more rigorous legislation should be developed for this activity.
2 -Council are opposed to all aerial spraying within its Municipality.
3 -The proposed amendments to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 1996 should not proceed woithout complimentary chemical trespassed legislation.
4 - Monitoring of the impacts of all spraying conducted under the regulations should be undertaken by the Department of Health And Human Services, and the Department provided with the necessary resources to ensure that this activity is conducted comprehensively.  It is suggested that the potential adverse effects of aerial and ground spraying relate directly to public health rather than the resource sector.
5 - The regulations should apply spraying undertaken on roads and railways.

Well done Councillors and Council staff.
It is good to see elected representatives taking a holistic and pro-active approach in attempting to prevent many health and ecosystem problems.
What are the timeframes for these motions?
We trust you will be following through with these motions rapidly and we eagerly await further developments.

Pesticides and Human Health

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Safety first for pesticides
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-41253-308-11-45-911-20081103IPR41252-03-11-2008-2008-false/default_es.htm

The EU has voted (5-11-08) to remove endocrine disrupting chemicals,  immunotoxic, genotoxic, reproductive and developmental toxic pesticides from use.
It has also voted to protect water catchments and food from pesticide contamination.
It has upheld the general ban on aerial spraying of pesticides.

As an urgent matter of public health, the Australian regulator of pesticides (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) and Tasmania’s regulator (DPIW) should immediately ‘harmonise’ with this EU precautionary initiative.

As of 8-11-08, DPIW is undertaking a review of its main regulatory framework for Water Quality (State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997)
Submissions close on 15-12-08 - only 5 weeks to undertake this major review.
We trust that the EU stance will be well heeded in this review.