Common herbicide ‘threatens Great Barrier Reef’
Updated
The Great Barrier Reef faces an unmanageable threat from a popular herbicide used widely along the Queensland coast, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
A WWF report says the herbicide Diuron has been found at 55 times its considered safe levels in creeks that drain into the reef, and as much as 100 times safe levels in the reef itself.
It says widespread use of the chemical is endangering the Great Barrier Reef.
The use of Diuron has been suspended this wet season and the pesticides regulator is due to make a ruling on its future use of Diuron this week.
In its latest outlook, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority lists the declining quality of water in catchment areas as one of the biggest threats to the reef, and green groups fear the ban will be lifted.
But sugar cane growers, who are the major users of Diuron near the reef, say it is essential to their operations, and have accused green groups of scaremongering.
WWF freshwater and reef coordinator Nick Heath says the report shows Diuron is unmanageable when used near the reef.
Mr Heath says the herbicide’s widespread use and long half-life – as much as 500 days – make it a threat.
“Just to sort of explain how toxic this stuff is, just one gram in four olympic-sized swimming pools is enough to damage sea grass,” he said.
“One of the most sensitive sea grasses is the preferred food source for turtles and dugongs.”
Just one gram [of Diuron] in four olympic-sized swimming pools is enough to damage sea grass.
WWF freshwater and reef coordinator Nick Heath
Diuron is being found up to 60 kilometres from shore inside the World Heritage Area of the Great Barrier Reef at concentrations harmful to coral, and has been found to be representing about 80 per cent of all of the herbicide load in the reef.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has been reviewing Diuron’s use for the past decade.
Last November it suspended its use for this year’s wet season, and a decision on whether that temporary ban will be extended is expected this week.
Canegrowers chief executive Steve Greenwood says Diuron is essential for controlling weeds.
Mr Greenwood says the chemical poses a very low risk when used effectively, and says green groups are being “mischievous” by releasing the report.
“It’s going to be extremely difficult for cane growers,” he said.
“We rely on the tool – it’s an efficient tool. It’s cost effective.
“The green groups as usual are being a bit mischievous.
“They are using the threat of the reef to try and pursue their goals.
“Unfortunately there’s no good scientific basis.”
WWF and other green groups have criticised the regulator for taking so long to make a decision on Diuron, which has been banned in some overseas countries.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority declined a request for an interview.
Topics:great-barrier-reef, pest-management, charities-and-community-organisations, environmental-impact, environmental-management, cairns-4870, townsville-4810, mackay-4740
First posted
