1080 Mass killing of Native Animals

TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
HOBART TASMANIA 7000 AUSTRALIA

PETITION

We, the undersigned citizens of Australia and potential international visitors to Tasmania, draw the attention of the House to the following:

The Tasmanian Forestry Industry continues with the policy of clear felling of old growth forest and the destruction of the habitats of native fauna (wallabies, possums, wombats, quolls, Tasmanian devils and wedge-tailed eagles) within and about the boundaries of its plantations. Further, the industry uses the method of laying poison bait known as 1080 to eradicate native animals. It also intends to destroy and or prevent the re-growth of vegetation with herbicidal poisons distributed by aerial spraying (helicopter or other) or tractor wholesale spraying.

An Australian Stock Exchange listed company, Gunns Limited, intends to conduct intensive poisoning operations in hills overlooking the villages along the DEntrecasteaux Channel.

Moreover, when Gunns Limited uses large scale aerial spraying of poisons, there is a real possibility that the said poisons may drift by means of sometimes violent and unpredictable air currents to surrounding property.

When Gunns Limited releases the poisons mentioned above, there is a high probability that these poisons will enter the upper reaches of water catchments, which are the source of many streams and springs that flow through farming and residential areas to the sea.

Gunns Limited is failing in its duty of care in relation to the regulation of and containment of noxious materials that present:
1. serious or adverse affects on neighboring lands; or
2. public health or safety; or
3. serious or adverse affect on neighboring industries ie tourism, fisheries, orchards and olive groves.
4. loss and damages to trees, garden crops and animals due to drift and settlement of noxious chemicals applied by means of helicopter, aerial or tractor large-scale spraying of Glyphosate, Brushoff and yet to be specified pre-emergent endocrine disrupting herbicides such as Simazine.

Therefore, your petitioners call upon Parliament to:
-Direct forestry practitioners to cease these dangerous and destructive practices and to replace them immediately with more socially and environmentally responsible practices.

-Cease its policy of removing all cultural, legal, social and environmental impediments to the establishment of forestry plantations,
thereby colluding in the setting up of Carbon Sinks to service so-called Kyoto targets as Carbon Credits for sale to polluting industries.

-Ban the use of 1080 . The United States of America banned its sale in 1974 because, as a super toxin with no taste smell or color, it provided the perfect weapon for biological terrorism. Only Tasmania uses the poison against native animals.

-End the practice of permiting aerial spraying and wholesale application of pesticides, weed and herbicides, which pose a threat to the health and economics of neighbors and industries other than forestry.

In addition, we deplore the idea that Gunns Limited and any other forestry interests can be so singled out for special legislative treatment that permits them to achieve cost-effective outcomes that meets their corporate objectives by passing the downstream costs and adverse consequences onto their neighboring community and industries. Industries, that may prove to be of greater value to the larger economy.

We, your petitioners, contend that:
The Government has been promoting the establishment of forest plantations for the benefit of forestry interests rather than protecting the health and welfare of its citizens.

The current debate highlights the fact that the tunnel vision of officials permitting the use of the poison for native fauna control and wholesale aerial spraying for weeds in forest plantations has become entrenched.

The Government should be held responsible for the cost of any damage that the widespread use of poisons causes to farmers, local residents and the tourists that come to see our unique animals and birds.