Ms BADGER question to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER, Mr PEARCE
[10.49 a.m.]
Documents that the Greens obtained under right to information show that the Department of Health, NRE and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) voiced concerns to the APVMA about the salmon industry’s application to expand the permit for florfenicol to Tasmania’s east coast biosecurity region. The letter stated:
The safety of florfenicol in Tasmania’s marine environment has not been established and the permit application to expand its use did not sufficiently consider matters such as human health, antibiotic resistance, environment and ecology, and impacts on trade of wild caught fish. [tbc]
These concerns are shared by communities on Tasmania’s east coast. They’re waiting to hear whether this damaging antibiotic will be dumped in eastern waters. Minister, has the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) supported the use of florfenicol on the east coast? Have you been advised of a decision on this permit application?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. The APVMA is a statutory federal body. It sits separate to the federal parliament and any minister. It is its own identity and has announced a proposal to suspend the current permit for florfenicol in salmon aquaculture in Tasmania. The final decision has yet to be made by the independent authority. Once that decision has been made I will update the House on that decision and the implications it has for our industry.
I note the information has been provided to the APVMA in the past, and the member refers to the Chief Veterinary Officer and her advice on the APVMA’s request upon the initial application of the permit.
Ms Badger – That wasn’t my question.
Mr PEARCE – I recognise that.
Ms Badger – That wasn’t my question. If you’d like, I can repeat it.
The SPEAKER – Order.
Mr PEARCE – I recognise that. However, in regard to its proposal and the suspension of any permits, I can advise this House that the Tasmanian government has not made a submission. Decisions regarding antibiotic approvals are subject to federal oversight, and the review of this permit is appropriately a matter between the APVMA and the permit holder.
We will continue to closely monitor and work with industry regulators, scientists, including the CVO, and our veterinary fraternity in the industry, as well as fishing communities to ensure that fish health challenges are well maintained, maintained responsibly, environmental risks are minimised and public confidence in the Tasmanian seafood sector is maintained at all times.
The government remains committed to a science‑based precautionary approach that protects our marine environment, supports fish health and fish welfare and maintains the reputation of Brand Tasmania.
Ms BADGER – Speaker, point of order, Standing Order 45, relevance. Although this is insightful, it was a very different question, specifically about the east coast.
The SPEAKER – The minister needs to sit down, please, during a point of order. You’ve finished your point of order?
Ms BADGER – Relevance. This is about florfenicol very generally, but it was a separate question that relates to what the Leader of the Greens, Dr Woodruff, asked previously. Mine was very specifically about the east coast permits and the Chief Veterinary Officer’s support or otherwise on that.
The SPEAKER – You need to make your point of order brief. Honourable minister.
Mr PEARCE – I thank the member for clarifying that. I reiterate that the government, my department, has made no such submission to APVMA, aside from –
The SPEAKER – The honourable minister’s time has expired.
Supplementary Question
Ms BADGER – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Ms BADGER – Back to the original question, which is very different. It is specifically about the east coast. I’m just going to repeat my two questions word‑for‑word. Has the Chief Veterinary Officer supported the use of florfenicol on Tasmania’s east coast? Have you been advised of a decision on this permit application specific to the east coast?
Mr PEARCE – I appreciate your question. In relation to the east coast, I’m going take that on notice. I’m going to answer your question properly and I will get back to you. I will update the House on that.
Ms Badger – By the end of the day, minister?
The SPEAKER – That is usually what happens.
Mr PEARCE – As soon as practicable.
