2 March 2006
Greens call for ban on cancer-linked pesticides
In a speech to the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health in Dunedin this afternoon, Green Party Safe Food
Spokesperson Sue Kedgley is calling for a ban on the insecticide Endosulfan and other pesticides that have been linked
with cancer.
"Endosulfan has been banned in 20 countries because of its link with breast cancer, its persistence in the environment
and because it disrupts the endocrine system. It is astonishing that New Zealand permits it to be used on a raft of
commonly eaten fruit and vegetables," Ms Kedgley says.
"Given the millions of dollars which are spent, both publicly and privately, on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in
New Zealand, it seems bizarre that our Government won't take simple steps to reduce our exposure to carcinogens such as
prohibiting the use of pesticides that are classified as carcinogenic.
"If we are serious about protecting food safety, we must ban the use of Endosulfan and other cancer-linked pesticides
immediately, and I challenge the Government today to do so," Ms Kedgley says.
Ms Kedgley issued her call in a speech which criticised the Government and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority for
their lax, narrow minded, complacent approach to food safety.
"The food safety authority seems to have a well-rehearsed public relations strategy to deal with any food safety scare
other than microbial contamination - namely to downplay the issue, seek to pacify consumers and deny there is any public
health risk.
"It seems preoccupied with protecting international trade and New Zealand's reputation as a trusted food producer, and
tries to downplay any food safety risk that could damage our reputation.
"The only way to restore consumer confidence in the safety of food, and ensure the safety of New Zealand's food supply,
is to end the dual remit of the food safety authority and set up an independent food safety agency, tasked exclusively
with protecting New Zealand's food supply," Ms Kedgley says.
ENDS