Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER, Mr PEARCE
The news that multinational salmon corporations have been green-lighted to use florfenicol in public waters has outraged coastal communities and recreational fishers. The Director of Public Health’s warning is that if recreational fishers want to avoid exposure to antibiotic residues in wild fish, they shouldn’t fish within three kilometres of a lease site for at least three weeks after antibiotic treatments have occurred. As the minister for Health just pointed out, that is precautionary advice and people can’t make a choice if they don’t know. There’s no information for recreational fishers to know when antibiotics are being dumped into the waters, where and how much, and when it’s safe to fish again. Will you adopt the sensible call of the Huon Valley Council Mayor, who’s listened to recreational fishers, and make sure every boat ramp has that information posted with QR codes that link to real-time disclosure of the date and quantity of antibiotic treatments and the coordinates of affected areas?
The SPEAKER – The member’s time has expired.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. I think it’s already been stated this morning fairly clearly, concisely and very scientifically based. The national body, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, has given conditional permits for the release and use of florfenicol in Tasmanian waters. Along with that was the scientific analysis done of the potential risks of using that particular medication and that has been promulgated and inculcated down through the chain of command to the Tasmanian government.
The Chief Medical Officer, as the good minister has already detailed in some clarity, is quite clear in what she’s saying with that warning. It is cautionary advice from the Chief Medical Officer only. It does not warrant or cut over into a warning. It is cautionary advice and therefore does not require, as the good minister has already stated, any further form of identification of any risk that isn’t there.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – People can’t choose if they don’t know. This area is the minister’s responsibility. Salmon are withheld from public consumption to protect people from antibiotic residues for a period of time. Recreational fishers who catch wild fish should be able to make a choice about whether they eat fish contaminated with antibiotic residues. Will you make the information available, as the Huon Valley Council Mayor has said, to people in her community and other communities on boat ramps through QR codes so that people can make a choice?
The SPEAKER – The member’s time has expired.
Mr PEARCE – I understand your concern.
Dr Woodruff – It’s not my concern, it’s the community’s concern.
The SPEAKER – Order, Dr Woodruff, the only one who’s talking right now is the honourable minister.
Mr PEARCE – I understand the concerns you’re conveying here in this place. However, it is the scientific advice from the APVMA, as it is the Chief Medical Officer, that this is cautionary advice and that has been promulgated on the NRE site, the EPA site –
Dr Woodruff – Yes, but how do people know?
The SPEAKER – Order. Thank you. Honourable minister, please resume.
Mr PEARCE – These sites clearly have that information. Industry and recreational fishing bodies have all been availed that information. We’ve been as clear and transparent as we possibly can in availing them of that and disseminating that information.
