The Greens welcome the decision by the APVMA to cancel the Tasmanian salmon industry’s permit to use florfenicol. It’s shocking that even despite this, with the stated reason being risks to our wild fish exports, the Premier is still backing the use of florfenicol by the salmon industry.
The APVMA have listened to the science and recognised the impacts for local wild-caught fisheries from florfenicol and suspended the salmon industry’s permit. This is a vindication of concerns raised from the outset by local communities, and recreational and commercial fishers. These concerns, and the risks raised by their own agencies, were dismissed by the Liberal Government.
Even now, after the APVMA has suspended the salmon industry’s permit for florfenicol, the Rockliff Government is refusing to regulate and prevent the industry’s continuing use of the antibiotic. Under a Greens’ question in Parliament, the Premier confirmed companies would be applying for another permit.
The Liberals have consistently prioritised multinational salmon companies ahead of the marine environment, communities and abalone and crayfish exports.
Premier Rockliff promised to put the industry on notice. His government needs to regulate to require salmon companies to properly manage P. salmonis outbreaks by destocking diseased pens, and ensure off-label use of florfenicol by the industry is prohibited.
