Ministry accused of scare tactics

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 287, 23 May 1989, Page 6

Ministry accused of scare tactics

The Lincoln College report on pesticide use in New Zealand is a sloppy, unprofessional document which is short on fact and heavily reliant on inuendo.

That is the opinion of Federated Farmers president, Brian Chamberlin. "Farmers and their families are potentially the most at risk from any ill-effects of pesticide use", he said. "Consequently farmers would be the first to call for more stringent controls if there was evidence of danger to their own health or their family's well-be-ing." Mr Chamberlin said instructions for use of

pesticides are clearly spelled out and it is in farmers own interests to follow these carefully. Federated Farmers agrees he said, with the research report's recommendation that the Department of Health improve it's monitering of the system. Mr Chamberlin said they see merit in reassuring the New Zealand public that they are not in danger of pesticide poisoning. The report he said,

should be seen for what it is: "A thinly disguised attempt by the Ministry of the Environment to enlarge it's empire." New Zealand uses far less pesticide than many overseas countries and the system of monitering and registration ensures that pesticides are used sensibly and well within the bounds of safety in terms of human health. "Any debate on this issue should be reasoned and based on sound scientific evidence - not on unfounded emotions raised by scare tactics that have ulterior motive," Mr Chamberlain said.