Yet more evidence has come to light showing the Liberal Government manufactured an “emergency” to placate the salmon industry and fast-track the use of florfenicol in Tasmanian waters.
It has been revealed that Huon Aquaculture tried to rush through unapproved use of the antibiotic florfenicol in just seven days. This triggered NRE concerns that there had not been enough time to “socialise” the antibiotic use with the public.
Instead, NRE provided support for Huon Aquaculture to apply to the AVMPA for fast-tracked use of the antibiotic. The next day, MPs were told there was an emergency justifying this.
It’s yet more evidence of what the Greens have been saying for months. The Liberal Government cooked up an “emergency” to placate the salmon industry and fast-track the dumping of the antibiotic in Tasmanian waters.
The Rockliff Government should be reining in salmon farming companies, not helping them get around the rules. Their continued dishonesty with the Tasmanian community is shameful. It’s time they told us all the truth.
The Liberal Government are more concerned with propping up the profits of big salmon than the impacts on local communities and the environment. Crayfishers have been locked out of the area undergoing treatment, and recreational fishers concerned about antibiotic use have been told to avoid eating fish caught within three kilometres of treated pens for three weeks.
The Premier promised Tasmanians he’d put the salmon industry “on notice” after the mass fish deaths of last summer that polluted waterways and beaches. Meanwhile, he’s continuing to put big salmon profits ahead of the community and environment. It’s shameful.
The community are rightly outraged. A public meeting is being held today to protest the salmon companies dumping hundreds of kilograms in southern waters, and the Liberal Government who’re backing them in.
The Greens will continue to put the Tasmanian people and environment first. We’ll keep fighting for the Liberal Government to rein in salmon farming companies and destock diseased pens before another more mass salmon deaths again pollute Tasmanian waterways.
