After manufacturing the pretext of an emergency to support their application for florfenicol use last year, this year the salmon industry isn’t even trying to pretend. They are applying for an emergency permit when, as the Environment Department makes clear, there is no emergency.
Emergency permits are supposed to be for just that – emergencies. They shouldn’t be used because the salmon industry hasn’t made a proper application in time, or because they refuse to take other steps to avoid mass mortality events.
If the industry is so concerned about a future mass fish die off, there are things they could do now to reduce the risks. Reducing stock and pen density would be a good start.
With the use of florfenicol causing significant impacts on wild fisheries and export industries last summer, this new application raises an important question for the state government. Have they provided any support to this application, and if so what?
We know the industry’s 2025 push for an emergency permit received wide support from the Rockliff Government, including a letter of support from the Chief Vet. What about this year?
Minister Gavin Pearce refused to answer that question in Parliament last week, and hasn’t responded to follow-up correspondence from the Greens. That’s not good enough. These are public interest questions, and the public deserves answers.
