Pesticide residues in Australian veges show need for Country of Origin Labelling

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(Soil & Health Submission and the Residue Test Results and commentary to Select Health Committee follow below Media Release)

The discovery of the highly toxic insecticide dimethoate in Australian capsicum labelled as ‘Product of New Zealand’ in an Auckland Woolworths supermarket, shows the need for mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL), according to the Soil & Health Association’s September Organic NZ magazine.

“This is a clear breach of both voluntary CoOL at the supermarket, but also of the Fair Trading Act by NZ Hothouse whose labelled “Summer House by NZ Hothouse 3Pack Capsicum” appeared to have been “topped up” with Australian produce dipped in dimethoate,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “The New Zealand name was dominant on the packaging with a tiny Produce of Australia label needing a lens to find.”

“New Zealanders must be able to choose what country they buy from, yet we believe that repacking with Australian tomatoes may also be happening by some New Zealand packhouses. Four out of six New Zealand loose tomato samples showed no pesticide residues at all, and none contained dimethoate.”

Dimethoate was also found in Australian tomatoes, capsicum and zucchini from Countdown Blenheim, with the level in zucchini more than twice the MRL (Maximum Residue Level). Zucchini and capsicums, which were labelled only as “Imported” did not mention Australia as their country of origin.

Unlabelled capsicum from PaknSave Moorhouse Ave Christchurch also contained dimethoate.

Dimethoate, a systemic organo-phosphate insecticide, is used as an insecticidal dip to kill the Queensland fruit fly in produce imported from Australia to New Zealand. The fruit fly would cause severe damage to the New Zealand horticulture industry if it were released.

However dimethoate and the related chemical omethoate, which is even more toxic, have also been found in the residue tests of Australian produce. They cannot be removed by washing. Both are endocrine and nervous system disruptors, reducing testosterone levels and causing infertility. They can also cause birth defects, a variety of cancers including leukaemia, and can suppress the immune system. Of further concern is their heightened effect when in combination with other chemical residues including medicinal drugs. As an example of this, pre-treatment of rats with phenobarbital resulted in a threefold increase in the acute toxicity of omethoate (1, Menzor and Best, 1968).

“New Zealand tomato growers do not use dimethoate or omethoate and New Zealanders must be able to choose the origin of their products as part of their own health choices,” said Mr Browning.

Soil & Health sampled produce from stores in four centres recently as part of its investigation into endosulfan residues in conjunction with Pesticide Action Network with the results published in Organic NZ magazine. Some overseas produce was also targeted to identify any insecticide residues. Twenty four produce samples were taken with endosulfan and dimethoate detection in mind. Multi residue testing showed that only 25% of samples had no detectable residue.

“While initially targeting endosulfan in support for calling for that pesticide’s withdrawal from New Zealand use, findings of dimethoate in ‘NZ Product’ showed serious breaches of the voluntary Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) protocol that the main supermarket chains Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises say they use,” said Mr Browning. “The NZ Hothouse capsicums labelled as being of New Zealand origin proved to be from Australia, with toxic dimethoate residues being the giveaway.”

“These results support our call for Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling. Pesticide residues in imported food and the health effects of them are an urgent consumer and health issue. Voluntary labelling is not working, either not at all or is poorly utilized, and certainly not enforceable, although fantastic labelling examples, such as my local Blenheim New World do exist.”

Soil & Health has recently submitted the pesticide residue information to the Parliamentary Health Select Committee in support of the 39,000 signature Green Party- initiated petition calling for mandatory CoOL.

A submission of Horticulture NZ (HortNZ) to the Health Select Committee supporting mandatory CoOL, disagrees that CoOL is a food safety issue.

“Soil & Health agrees with the intent of HortNZ’s submission “expecting consumers to make their purchasing decisions based on numerous personal responses to a product. Trust in the safety record of the country of origin is only one reason for making or not making a purchase.,” said Mr Browning, “however Soil & Health disagrees with HortNZ’s “total confidence in the New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s (NZFSA) ability to monitor and regulate our food supply to the highest standard,” or that “country of origin labelling is not a food safety issue,..”

“While Horticulture NZ is opposed to dimethoate use and has indicated the phase out of endosulfan, it needs to work much harder on its members to prevent the disappointing results from many of our residue test results.”

“One rogue grower in Marlborough had all 3 produce samples testing above MRLs and effectively all cucumber, cherry tomato and capsicum results showed pesticide residues. No residues in New Zealand or Chinese garlic was positive, although residue tests for acid herbicide were not run.”

“There are very good examples of biological control of pests with low pesticide use among HortNZ producers with some organic growers that do not use any of the pesticides that have been picked up in the residue tests.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020 with food and environment free from synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

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NOTES, SUBMISSIONS AND TEST RESULTS:

(1) Potentiation – Omethoate was observed to influence the acute oral toxicity of malathion in rats. When administered at 1/2 LD50 levels the mortality observed was slightly greater than theoretically anticipated (Kimmerle and Lorke, 1967). Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital resulted in a threefold increase in the acute toxicity of omethoate (Menzor and Best, 1968).

The Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand (ERMA) has selected dimethoate as one of 16 chemicals to consider Grounds for Reassessment’ within 5 years.

Although not used by NZ tomato growers, Dimethoate and its formulations are currently registered as ; an organophosphate, Trade names: Perfecthion S, Garden King ROGOR 1000, Dimezyl

One Overall Evaluation includes:

Dimethoate is a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide used for the control of a variety of pests. There are currently three products containing dimethoate that are registered for agricultural use in New Zealand. Dimethoate has the potential to cause adverse effects to the nervous system in humans at low concentrations. Dimethoate is also very ecotoxic to aquatic organisms, birds and honey-bees. Many human and ecological incidents have been reported overseas. The US has recently imposed new and more stringent controls on dimethoate. The EU and Australia are currently in the process of reassessing dimethoate. The UK has suspended dimethoate approvals due to concerns regarding short and long term consumer exposure.

Another notes that;

…It has been determined that omethoate is twelve times more toxic than dimethoate in acute dietary exposure and three times more toxic in chronic dietary exposure,…

SUBMISSIONS AND TEST RESULTS,

Country of Origin Labeling
Further evidence to the submission of the Soil & Health Association of NZ

Soil & Health sampled produce from stores in 4 centres as part of its investigation into endosulfan residues. We also targeted some overseas produce to identify any phytosanitary chemical residues. A total of 24 produce samples were taken with endosulfan and dimethoate detection in mind. Sampling was coordinated to avoid duplication of samples.

Multi residue (~230 chemicals) testing by Hills Laboratories showed that only 25% of samples had no residues detected.

While targeting endosulfan, findings of dimethoate showed serious breaches of the voluntary Country of Origin Labeling (CoOL) protocol that the main supermarket chains say they use. As in the notes below, one labeled product of NZ grower misrepresented Australian produce was found. This was only discovered using residue testing. Some other samples had been labeled “imported Produce” or had no identification at all.

Soil & Health believes these results support our call for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. Pesticide residues in imported food and the health effects of them are an urgent consumer and health issue. Voluntary labeling is not working, either not at all or is poorly utilized, and certainly not enforceable.

The analysis below will be supported by copies of the Hill Laboratories Multiresidue GC test results.

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Multi residue test results, photograph and comments:

Auckland samples July 22 2008: All purchased from Woolworths Waiheke Island

1) Tomato Auckland A. Loose NZ tomatoes
No residues detected

2) Tomato Auckland B. Cherry tomatoes Sweet Intense Flavour. Packed for MG Marketing Christchurch

Endosulfan I mg/kg 0.019
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.033
Endosulfan sulfate mg/kg 0.026
Iprodione mg/kg 0.51

3) Cucumber Auckland. Telegraph cucumbers are shrink-wrapped but no grower identification
Metalaxyl (Mefenoxam) mg/kg 0.025

4) Capsicum Auckland. Summerhouse brand by NZ Hothouse.
Later comment from sampler following Dimethoate result,

– “Here is a photo of capsicums, on sale in a NZ Hothouse wrapper, labelled also as product of NZ by Woolworth’s, but actually Australian capsicums. These are identically displayed as the ones I had tested as NZ capsicum except that these have red as well as yellow and green ones. I still have the original wrapper.”
–

Photo Available – NZ Hothouse brand capsicum including Australian produce on sale at Woolworths

This a clear breach of both voluntary CoOL at the supermarket but also of the Fair Trading Act by NZ Hothouse who have been “topping up” their own grown produce with Australian dimethoate dipped produce. We have been informed that this is also happening with some tomatoes.

Chlorothalonil mg/kg 0.016
Dimethoate mg/kg 0.38

Wellington Samples 23 July 2008, All from an independent fruit & vege retailer in Lower Hutt.

Following the Auckland capsicum experience, it has to be asked when NZ Hothouse brand produce is Australian or NZ.

5) Wgtn Tom A Loose tomatoes NZ Hothouse (Karaka, Auckland)
Buprofezin mg/kg 0.025
Endosulfan I mg/kg 0.016
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.019
Permethrin mg/kg 0.014

Pirimiphos-methyl mg/kg 0.052

6) Wgtn Tom B (cherry tomatoes) (NZ Hothouse, Karaka)
Endosulfan I mg/kg 0.030
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.045
Endosulfan sulfate mg/kg 0.022

7) Wgtn Cap Capsicum from grower in Whakatane (the owner/manager at retailer said there was a
chance the green ones came from NZ Hothouse)
Endosulfan I mg/kg 0.062
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.056

8) Wgtn Cuc Cucumber NZ Hothouse
Metalaxyl (Mefenoxam) mg/kg 0.061

Sample Type: Nuts, Fruits and Vegetables and Derived Products
Christchurch Sample 22 July 2008 Pak n Save Moorhouse Ave Christchurch

9) ChCh Tom A Loose tomatoes labelled NZ
No residues detected

10) ChCh Tom B Cherry Tomatoes Classic Mktd by Turners & Growers Mt Wellington Auckland
Chlorothalonil mg/kg 0.36

11) ChCh Cap Capsicum. No Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) but phone enquiry showed red were Australian. Red removed from sample and yet still dimethoate indicating the remaining colours included some Australian produce. Shop staff indicated that all capsicum were being replaced with Australian supplies as the Australian owned supermarket was phasing out NZ capsicum. So much for the effectiveness of voluntary CoOL.

Dimethoate mg/kg 0.036

12) ChCh Cuc Telegraph Cucumbers, J.F. Ewers, Appleby Nelson.
Chlorothalonil mg/kg 0.75
Iprodione mg/kg 0.037
Procymidone mg/kg 0.026

sample Type: Nuts, Fruits and Vegetables and Derived Products
Blenheim Samples 19-Jun-2008 from Blenheim stores

13) Tomato A Australian tomatoes loose, purchased Countdown
Dimethoate mg/kg 0.095
Omethoate mg/kg 0.042

14) Tomato B Australian tomatoes cherry punnet, Countdown

This result is disturbing due to endosulfan being much higher in these Australian cherry tomatoes than in any NZ samples from this series of residue tests. What is also disturbing is the risk to NZ horticulture and biodiversity by dimethoate not being used to counter Queensland fruit fly. Dimethoate which is ideally avoided by consumers, is the correct phytosanitary chemical. Horticulture NZ is investigating with MAF-Biosecurity NZ.

Endosulfan I mg/kg 0.14
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.11
Endosulfan sulfate mg/kg 0.013
Methamidophos mg/kg 0.034
Piperonyl-butoxide mg/kg 0.039

15) Tomato C NZ Large loose NZ (?beefsteak) New World
No residues detected

16) Tomato D NZ Cherry (Biers of Nelson) purchased Blenheim New World
Endosulfan I mg/kg0.017
Endosulfan II mg/kg 0.028
Endosulfan sulfate mg/kg 0.013
Procymidone mg/kg 0.87

17) Garlic E Chinese
No residues detected

18) Garlic F New Zealand
No residues detected

Blenheim Samples 21-July-2008

Samples from the gate sales stall of Harwood include non-compliant off label use of pesticides with Tolylfluanid exceeding the default Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 0.1 mg/kg

19) B/Tom A Loose NZ tomatoes from Harwood Roadside stall Renwick Marlborough
Fluvalinate mg/kg 0.057
Tolylfluanid mg/kg 0.17

20) B/Caps Loose capsicum from Harwood Roadside stall Renwick Marlborough
Fluvalinate mg/kg 0.059
Tolylfluanid mg/kg 0.11

21) B/Cuc Shrink wrapped small telegraph cucumber from Harwood Roadside stall Renwick Marlborough
Tolylfluanid mg/kg 0.32
Triadimefon mg/kg 0.026

22) B/Tom B Small sized NZ tomatoes – Plastic punnet, Country Fresh, New Zealand Full Flavour Tomatoes, Packed for Wholesale Distributors Ltd Auckland. Purchased Fresh Choice Supermarket, Springlands, Blenheim.
No residues detected

Blenheim Samples 24 July Countdown

In store labeled “Imported Capsicum”, “Imported Zucchini”. On enquiry of the produce manager, they were said to be Australian. The checkout staff would not know. Dimethoate, more than twice MRL in zucchini.

sample Type: Nuts, Fruits and Vegetables and Derived Products

23) B1-ACAP Australian capsicum
Bifenthrin mg/kg 0.021
Chlorothalonil mg/kg 0.070
Dimethoate mg/kg 0.051

24) B1-AZUC Australian zucchini
Dimethoate mg/kg 3.7
Omethoate mg/kg 0.50 (Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) cover dimethoate and omethoate singly or in Combination.Total here is 4.2, MRL for fruits & vegetables except tomatoes is 2. Tomatoes is 1).

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28 July 2008

Graham Hill
Clerk of the Committee
Health Committee
Parliament

Dear Mr Hill

Submission regarding
Petition 2005/0157 of Sue Kedgley and 37,988 others
Requesting mandatory Country Of Origin Labelling.

Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc is 67 years old, and is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and as such advocates for healthy and safe food and environmental sustainability.

Soil & Health has a membership of about 2300 members and a readership of its retail magazine publication Organic NZ of many thousands. Soil & Health members strongly support mandatory Country of Origin (CoOL) labelling and gathered thousands of signatures for this petition.

These signatures were from all around New Zealand. Soil & Health has been involved with several petitions, and this would be the petition with the most overwhelming support. It was rare for people not to support it.

Soil and Health members and supporters prefer food without chemical residues, GE and nanotech components or contamination, and to this end are particular as to the food they purchase. Hence their need for clear labelling, both in regard organic certification and CoOL.

Soil & Health is involved with interpreting, from a consumer perspective, NZFSA Total Diet Surveys and other residue surveillance reports, and also has some residue sampling done on its own account. This research shows some disturbing results of overseas pesticide use including residues from phyto-sanitary controls. These residues could be avoided if consumers could make decisions based on clear labelling.

Random residue monitoring (June 21) by Soil & Health showed a level of the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan in an Australian cherry tomato sample four and a half times higher than an equivalent New Zealand sample.

Endosulfan is currently undergoing an ERMA reassessment and is banned in at least 55 countries including those of the EU. ERMA quotes in its decision to proceed with reassessment that, “Endosulfan has the potential to cause adverse effects to the nervous system in humans at low concentrations. Chronic exposure may induce liver enlargement, kidney damage and endocrine disruption.”
Major NZ producers following Quality Assurance programs have indicated their rejection of endosulfan and the NZ loose tomato sample from June 21 was residue free.

The loose Australian tomatoes sampled contained the systemic organophosphorous insect and acaricides dimethoate and omethoate used as a post harvest dip in phyto-sanitary control against the Queensland fruit fly before tomatoes are sent to New Zealand. Omethoate is far more toxic and persistent than dimethoate.

Dimethoate and omethoate cannot be removed by washing and they are endocrine and nervous system disruptors, reducing testosterone levels and causing infertility. They can also cause birth defects, a variety of cancers including leukaemia, and suppression of the immune system. Of further concern is their potentised effect when in combination with other chemical residues including medicinal drugs.
For example ; 1 Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital resulted in a threefold increase in the acute toxicity of omethoate (Menzor and Best, 1968).

The New Zealand large loose tomatoes sampled June 21 were residue free. New Zealand tomato growers do not use dimethoate or omethoate and New Zealanders must be able to choose the origin of their products as part of their own health choices.

Voluntary labelling used by some large retailers has been inconsistent and smaller retailers are often not showing any Country of Origin Labelling.
While our June 21 samples had clear country of origin labelling at the supermarket, many suppliers do not label clearly. Our sampling specifically chose country of origin labelled produce due to the aims of the sampling, however subsequent sampling proved problematic and further personal enquiries were required to ascertain CoOL. This is an unfair burden on consumers. Given the knowledge that Australian tomatoes consistently contain highly toxic dimethoate and omethoate, New Zealand consumers must always be able to choose their local produce, and labelling needs to be mandatory.

Other fresh foods imported are often fumigated with the neurotoxic methyl bromide or in some cases irradiated. Soil & Health members prefer to avoid food from both of these processes, but are not reliably able to differentiate.

Supermarket operator Progressive says it is committed to voluntary labelling of fruit and vegetables, but when samples of capsicum were collected July 22 in a Christchurch Pak n Save there was no CoOL. An enquiry found that the red capsicums were Australian and other colours were New Zealand, but later that day they were all going to be Australian as the New Zealand stock ran out.

Woolworths was exposed earlier this year selling meat labelled as “Product of New Zealand or Australia.”

A Blenheim Countdown supermarket on July 24 was selling some vegetables labelled “Imported Capsicum”, “Imported zucchini”, “Imported beans”, etc. On enquiry of the produce manager, they were said to be Australian. At supermarket checkouts there is generally no knowledge of origin unless there is clear labelling.

Soil & Health is surprised that while the New Zealand government uses a joint food standards system with Australia through Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), there is one very large anomaly, mandatory COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING!

The FSANZ standard for mandatory CoOL allows for informed consumer choice but the New Zealand consumers are limited to an inconsistent and often misleading or unclear voluntary scheme. Consultation of consumers was poor ahead of New Zealand’s rejection of CoOL.

Soil & Health is a representative on organic sector organisations often as a consumer advocate, and also as an NGO, participates in NZFSA, ERMA, MfE and FSANZ consultations. As such Soil & Health has a representative on the widely representative NZFSA Consumer Forum. The at times divided forum showed unanimous support for mandatory Country of Origin Labelling.

Soil & Health members and supporters are also concerned with ethical production of food and animal welfare, land and fresh water management, fisheries management, and labour and social issues. These are also considered in their food purchasing decisions. CoOL labelling assists with these decisions and encourages good practice internationally.

New Zealand imports approximately 1.5 million tonnes of food every year from a range of countries.

Soil & Health is aware of a number of international and New Zealand imports from China that included a banned food additive the carcinogenic antibiotic nitrofuran. Additives also included malachite green and gentian violet. NZFSA takes a very permissive approach to imported foods, yet even in the free trade promoting USA, mandatory Country of Origin Labelling is expected to be implemented next year in recognition of consumers rights there. Most western countries including Australia and Europe have comprehensive CoOl.

This is an important area of concern, with significant health and consumer choice implications.

The Soil & Health Association of NZ appreciates this opportunity to address the Health Committee in respect of the petition and the subject of food labelling.

1. WHO Pesticide Residues Series, No. 1 1971 EVALUATIONS OF SOME PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD Pesticide Residues in Food: Report of the 1971 Joint Meeting of the FAO Working Party of Experts on Pesticide Residues and the WHO Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues, Wld Hlth Org. techn. Rep. Ser., No. 502; FAO Agricultural Studies, 1972, No. 88.

OMETHOATE
(b) Potentiation – Omethoate was observed to influence the acute oral toxicity of malathion in rats. When administered at 1/2 LD50 levels the mortality observed was slightly greater than theoretically anticipated (Kimmerle and Lorke, 1967). Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital resulted in a threefold increase in the acute toxicity of omethoate (Menzor and Best, 1968).

More endosulfan residues found in food as ERMA submission period closes

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Once again the highly controversial pesticide endosulfan hits the news: more residues have been found in tomatoes and capsicums.

Endosulfan is a highly toxic pesticide used in New Zealand on a range of vegetables and fruit and also used to kill earthworms on sport fields, cricket pitchs, golf courses and bowling greens.

Independent residue testing, commissioned by Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa NZ and the Soil & Health Association, has once again found endosulfan residues in New Zealand produce – this time in capsicums as well as tomatoes. It was found in 50% of tomato samples taken in Auckland, 100% of samples in Wellington, but not in tomatoes on sale in Blenheim or Christchurch. Earlier tests carried out for the organisations had found it in Nelson grown cherry tomatoes purchased in Blenheim. The latest tests also found endosulfan in New Zealand capsicums on sale in Wellington.

Although used in New Zealand, Endosulfan is a particularly persistent insecticide and is banned in 55 other countries. The European Union is proposing a global ban under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

“These residues are a real concern” said Dr Meriel Watts of Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa NZ. “Because endosulfan is an endocrine disruptor, mimicking the effects of oestrogen, it takes only a very, very low level of exposure to it, such as we are seeing with residues in food, to cause breast cancer cells to grow. In a country like New Zeeland with one of the highest breast cancer rates in the world, such exposure is simply unacceptable.”

“Endosulfan is also linked to birth defects, intellectual impairment in children, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. It accumulates in our bodies and is handed down to the next generation across the placenta and in breast milk, a situation that is regarded as no longer acceptable in countries such as those of the European Union. Endosulfan is the worst pesticide still in use in New Zealand: if ERMA don’t ban this they are never going to ban anything.”

ERMA is reassessing endosulfan and its proposed decision is to allow continued use despite it being banned already in 55 countries. The reassessment has been open to submissions for 6 weeks but closes at 5pm today, Friday.

Both organisations had joined the Green Party and a number of individuals in calling on the Minister for the Environment to override ERMA’s proposed decision to continue all uses of endosulfan. But the Minister declined to do so, saying that he trusted ERMA to make the right decision.

“Lets hope his trust in ERMA is not misplaced,” said Steffan Browning of the Soil & Heath Association. “This toxic, persistent pesticide that is contaminating our food, our soils and our wild remote places has got to go. There are plenty of safer alternative ways of managing pests and earthworms in turf without resorting to endosulfan.”

“New Zealand’s international reputation for clean, green, sustainable agriculture is looking tattered, especially with the repeated findings of endosulfan in beef exported to Korea. DDT, another persistent organochlorine pesticide, has caused New Zealand enough grief and this sister compound endosulfan should now also be banned.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020 with food and environment free from synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

Mapua report shows systemic problems with environmental protection

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The investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment into the toxin-contaminated site at Mapua, shows a typical example of the cavalier attitude to chemicals, community health and environmental protection by local and central government agencies, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

Soil & Health wants an independent environmental monitoring and enforcement agency to be established.

“The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Tasman District Council (TDC) both shared a part in under resourcing remediation, complicity in poor worker and community protection, poor monitoring of toxic emissions, and a conflict of interest in compliance standards and enforcement at Mapua,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“The general approach uncovered in the PCE’s investigation results and those that should be revealed in the coming Departments of Health and Labour reports, could be matched at New Plymouth’s Paritutu Dow Chemical situation and at any 1080 aerial drop, methyl bromide log fumigation facility and many pesticide applications in New Zealand agribusiness.”

“Environmental monitoring as reported in MfE’s own Environment 07 report was another example of government hiding the reality of environmental protection in New Zealand. Mapua shows further incompetence and a lack of commitment to put people and the environment ahead of money,” said Mr Browning.

The PCE’s recommendations included:

“The Minister for the Environment establishes a mechanism for appointing a pool of independent, technically expert environmental auditors to assist with the management and remediation of contaminated land; and develops guidelines for when an accredited environmental auditor may be required, and the matters that such auditors may certify.”

“Independence in science research, monitoring and auditing is critical if New Zealand is to be a truly sustainable nation. Currently agencies such as MfE, the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) are caught by economic and trade agenda’s, leaving communities and under resourced and under committed local authorities to the perils of pesticide abuse,” said Mr Browning.

“Staff at the Mapua cleanup have had their health seriously affected, as have workers exposed to methyl bromide at Port Nelson, as had the community at Paritutu, or benlate exposed staff at Christchurch City Council gardens, but where was the real concern from government or council agencies? They have ducked for cover and used non-independent industry sourced science to downplay the harm.”

“The PCE’s exposure of another example of poor community and environmental care has to be a turning point. A strong independent agency that can protect the environment and those in it must be established.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020, and is committed to environment free of synthetic pesticides

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Notes:

Some excerpts from the PCE Mapua documents, in no particular order:

Two matters stand out as being of serious significance:

1.The limited range of the substances measured means that we cannot rule out the fact that people may have been exposed to a range of toxins, most notably dioxins as well as mercury compounds, especially between September 2004 and November 2005.

2.The design and management of the plant meant that from June 2004 until November 2004, the risk of the generation and emission of a range of toxins, most notably dioxins, was elevated.

Some of the resource consent conditions around discharges to air contained significant problems which made compliance difficult. Clear, measurable and enforceable resource consent conditions were required. It seems that TDC, for whatever reason, did not have sufficient expertise on hand to deliver these.

For different reasons, much of the atmospheric monitoring data cannot be relied upon. There have been failures by EDL, MfE, MfE’s consultants and TDC in this regard. We simply do not have good enough data to determine whether there have been emissions to air from the site beyond those included in the THI.

With respect to emissions to air, it appears that TDC failed to enforce the resource consent conditions. However, it should be noted that the Peer Review Panel was instrumental in getting key measurements carried out.

MfE did not appear to have appropriate expertise in its project team to safely and appropriately manage this project (even with EMS in place). They also did not appear to have the capability to identify serious issues and take a precautionary approach in those circumstances.

EDL’s Close-out Report to MfE5 estimated that soil passed through the MCD plant during the works contained a total of 21,177 kg of DDX and ADL. In addition, approximately 45 kg of pesticide was sent off-site for destruction. The output treated soil was estimated to contain a total of 2,588 kg of pesticide.

On 5 December 2006, MfE wrote to EDL to vary the contractual target DRE down to 80 percent. The justification for this step is unclear. The variation letter indicates that achieving the 90 percent target in soils that were only moderately contaminated was proving difficult. However, this does not seem to be an extenuating circumstance, because the 90 percent target was for overall DRE, not for individual batches; and because highly contaminated soils contained more DDX and ADL than moderately contaminated soils, they contribute more to the overall DRE.

More endosulfan in tomatoes – this time Australian ones are worse

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Independent residue testing commissioned by Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa NZ and the Soil & Health Association has found endosulfan residues in both New Zealand and Australian tomatoes – but this time the residues are much worse in the imported tomatoes.

Endosulfan residues were found in cherry tomatoes, but not loose tomatoes, from both countries, with those from Australia having 4 and a half times more endosulfan than the NZ cherry tomatoes.

Whilst the Australian large loose tomatoes did not contain endosulfan, they did contain residues of dimethoate, and its metabolite omethoate. Dimethoate is a highly toxic organophosphate insecticide used as a post harvest dip to kill fruit fly larvae before tomatoes are sent to New Zealand. Omethoate is far more toxic and persistent than dimethoate.

“Dimethoate and omethoate don’t wash off the tomatoes and are not something consumers should be ingesting,” said Dr Meriel Watts of Pesticide Action Network. “They are endocrine disruptors, reducing testosterone levels and causing infertility and can also cause birth defects, a variety of cancers including leukaemia, and suppression of the immune system.”

The New Zealand large loose tomatoes were residue free.

“There is a real chance here for New Zealand growers: if the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), or the government, bans endosulfan as they are being called on to do, New Zealand growers will have a clear marketing advantage over their Australian competitors,” said Steffan Browning of the Soil & Health Association.

ERMA is currently reassessing endosulfan, a highly toxic and persistent organochlorine insecticide. It has been banned in 55 countries and proposed by the European Union for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic pollutants.

Despite this worldwide action on endosulfan, ERMA is proposing to allow continued use on New Zealand tomatoes and other produce. However there has been a very strong reaction to this proposal with a number of organisations and individuals calling on the Minister for the Environment to override ERMA’s decision and ban endosulfan in the interests of the whole country.

“Endosulfan is the worst pesticide still in use in New Zealand”, said Dr Watts. “It is also an endocrine disruptor, specifically mimicking oestrogen, causing breast cancer cells to grow and is a real risk for breast cancer at even very low exposure levels such as residues in food. It persists in our bodies and is handed down to the next generation across the placenta and in breast milk, a situation that is regarded as no longer acceptable in countries such as those of the European Union”.

“While our samples tested had clear country of origin labelling at the supermarket, many suppliers do not label clearly. Given the knowledge that Australian tomatoes consistently contain highly toxic dimethoate, New Zealanders must be able to always choose their local produce,” said Mr Browning.

“While having greater levels of endosulfan, the Australian cherry tomatoes tested also contained methamidophos and piperonyl-butoxide.”

“Soil & Health will be submitting to Parliament’s Health Select Committee next week on the need for mandatory Country of Origin Labelling.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020 with food and environment free from synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

Ban highly persistent pesticide from our food

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An insecticide banned in 55 countries has been found in strawberries, lettuce, capsicum and courgettes in survey results released yesterday by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

Three organisations, Safe Food Campaign, the Soil & Health Association and Pesticide Action Network are calling for the Minister for the Environment to use his powers and ban endosulfan in New Zealand.

This latest Food Residue Surveillance Programme looked at lettuce, strawberries, capsicum and mushrooms.

The insecticide detected, endosulfan, is an organochlorine insecticide used on a wide range of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand. It has also been detected recently in tomatoes, tomato sauce, oil, peanuts, salad dressing, cucumber, celery and pears, with the highest amounts in tomatoes. Illegal residues have now been found twice in beef destined for South Korea, resulting in enormous costs for exporters.

The controversial pesticide is currently being reassessed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), who are calling for public submissions before 8th August.

Endosulfan has triggered international action because of its persistence and its ability to accumulate up the foodchain. It has been found all round the world, including Antarctica, in air, birds, groundwater, marine sediments, snow and even the bark of trees. It is also a known endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant, that is, it may have an effect on hormones at minute quantities, and has been linked to breast cancer, birth defects and lowered IQ.

“The whole global food supply is contaminated with endosulfan, and so are humans – endosulfan is found in body fat, breast milk, placental tissue and umbilical cord blood,” stated Dr Meriel Watts of Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa New Zealand. “For many people the endosulfan accumulating in their bodies is coming from food residues.”

“ERMA’s proposed decision to keep using this pesticide and contribute to global contamination is irresponsible and embarrassing for New Zealand internationally. This is a clear and urgent case for the Minister for the Environment to override the ERMA decision with powers he has under section 68 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.”

“It is equally embarrassing for New Zealand that endosulfan is very soon to enter the process for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. We were the last in the world to manufacture 2,4,5-T. Are we going to be the last to continue using this notorious pesticide? There are plenty of different options which better contribute to a clean green New Zealand.”

“An ultra low dose of endosulfan, such as may be in food, may cause changes in hormone function and effects on organ development that often only appear later in life,” said Alison White of the Safe Food Campaign. “The timing of the exposure to the foetus or young child is at least as important as the dose. I recommend that pregnant women and young children especially get these foods organically and lower their risk of exposure.”

“Another highly residual organochlorine pesticide like endosulfan, DDT has caused huge economic costs to New Zealand although long banned. It is now obvious that New Zealand is out of step with the EU and the 55 countries that have already said no to endosulfan. The Minister for the Environment must step in and stop endosulfan use here,” said Steffan Browning of the Soil and Health Association of NZ.

Soil & Health is committed to the removal of organochlorine pesticides and has a vision of an Organic 2020.

Endosulfan: NZ exports at risk – is ERMA listening?

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The highly toxic pesticide endosulfan, found in residues all over the world in food, people and the environment, has turned up again in NZ beef exported to Korea, and not surprisingly Korea is not happy.

“But is ERMA listening,” asked Dr Meriel Watts of Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa New Zealand. “In their reassessment document released last week ERMA have proposed on-going use of endosulfan on a number of crops, including fodder crops that are fed directly to animals. It is well established in science that residues from such crops can subsequently turn up in the meat of such animals – and in the milk, which may not make Fonterra happy either.”

“New Zealand sells its produce with a clean, green, pure, natural, branding image that is contradicted by actual practices, such as using one of the dirtiest pesticides in the world in our food supply. Sooner or later the global markets are going to catch on to this hypocrisy and New Zealand can expect a much tougher time making the image stick,” said Dr Watts.

“Endosulfan has been banned in 55 countries around the world already, including all the European Union countries. ERMA’s proposed decision to continue its use here could see us being one of the last in the world to keep using this persistent and bio-accumulative pollutant.”

“If New Zealand’s meat producers want to keep their markets open, then they might need to consider asking ERMA and the Minister for the Environment to get rid of this nasty once and for all,” said Steffan Browning of the Soil & Health Association.

“We support the Green Party’s call for the Minister for the Environment to override ERMA and urge Federated Farmers, Fonterra and the Meat Industry to add their voices, so they can protect their export markets.”

“If New Zealand is exporting beef to Korea with residues of endosulfan in it, who knows what residues are in our locally consumed meat,” said Alison White of Safe Food Campaign. “Who is testing it? The answer is nobody. Yet at even very low levels of exposure this gender bending chemical can have a profound and lasting effect on our bodies and those of our offspring.”

“People all over the world are carrying toxic time bombs of endosulfan residues,” said Dr Watts. “For many people these have come largely from eating food containing residues of this pesticide. Until it is finally banned the situation will only get worse.”

“DDT another persistent organochlorine insecticide that is also ecotoxic and an endocrine disruptor, just like endosulphan, still persists in many New Zealand soils although long banned,” said Mr Browning.

“It is as though the difficulties persisting from DDT do not exist for ERMA and the lazy users of Endosulfan. Other options to endosulfan exist and the organic sector for example manages just fine without it. Endosulfan must be removed from New Zealand use urgently to reduce long term contamination, and events such as this current second beef for Korea contamination.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020 and a future proofed clean green Aotearoa New Zealand.

Endosulfan: An appalling ‘proposed’ insecticide decision by ERMA

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A gender bender (endocrine disruptor) insecticide banned in 55 countries with residues found in Antarctica, breast milk and New Zealand tomatoes looks set to have continued use in New Zealand following an ERMA reassessment.

Three New Zealand NGOs that have been fighting to get endosulfan banned in New Zealand for nearly a decade are appalled by the ‘proposed decision’ released by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) on Friday night as part of its reassessment process.

The ‘proposed’ decision will allow almost unfettered use of endosulfan on many food crops and on sports turf – from bowling greens to golf courses and cricket pitches. Children’s play areas would only have 48 hours of down time following endosulfan use.

“This is an unbelievable proposal from ERMA: said Dr Meriel Watts, coordinator of Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Aotearoa NZ. It flies in the face of most of the rest of the world. Whilst country after country are announcing bans – now up to 55 countries – ERMA is suggesting we just keep right on using this extremely toxic pesticide. New Zealand was the last country to stop manufacturing 2,4,5-T. It looks like ERMA wants us to be the last one using endosulfan too.”

Endosulfan is a persistent and bioaccumulative organochlorine pesticide that contaminates the air, rainfall, snow, soil and water in every region in the world, including the Artic and the Antarctic. It contaminates elephant seals in the Antarctic and beluga whales in the Artic.

Contamination of the global food supply is also ubiquitous – here in New Zealand 50% of tomatoes contained endosulfan residues in the last total diet survey, and recently it was also found in lettuce, strawberries and courgettes in results released by the NZFSA in May this year.

“The whole global food supply is contaminated with endosulfan, and so are humans – endosulfan is found in body fat, breast milk, placental tissue and umbilical cord blood – and ERMA has turned a blind eye to this” said Dr Watts.

“Endosulfan is passed from mothers to their unborn children, and then again to them after birth in breast milk. It is a total outrage that ERMA have also chosen to ignore this. We don’t know how contaminated New Zealand women are because nobody has bothered to look, but on the basis of findings elsewhere in the world it’s a fair bet we are carrying toxic loads. That women have to continue transferring residues of this lethal chemical to their offspring, against their will, is a straight forward abuse of human rights. Women should not give up breast feeding their babies – the responsibility lies with ERMA to ensure that women of New Zealand are not put in this position.”

“The effects of endosulfan have long been associated with breast cancer and also endocrine disruption giving it a title of “gender bender”,” said Safe Food Campaign co-convenor Alison White.

Endosulfan is a semi volatile chemical – which means that when it is used most of it evaporates into the air. About 60-70% of it evaporates off the leaves of plants or soil, enters the atmosphere and is transferred around the globe. That is how we have ended up with such high levels of contamination in remote places like the Artic.

ERMA has not only abdicated its responsibility to women in New Zealand, it has also abdicated its responsibility towards the global environment, a situation that is deeply embarrassing for New Zealand internationally. Endosulfan is very soon to enter the process for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants – the treaty that bans dioxins, DDT, and a number of other chemicals. It has been nominated by the European Union.

”Endosulfan is not necessary in New Zealand agriculture or horticulture or playing fields,” said Soil & Health Association spokesperson Steffan Browning. “ERMA is rapidly becoming the Economic Risk Management Authority, forgetting its real title of Environmental Risk Management, and is failing New Zealand’s many clean and green producers and consumers who do not use endosulfan but who suffer from the cowboy operators that do.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020.

MfE, ERMA and MED need to protect ozone layer and community health now

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Following two court decisions within a week, both strongly in favour of limiting the release of ozone destroying gases into the environment, the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand is calling on the Ministry for the Environment(MfE), the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and Ministry of Economic Development (MED) to put an immediate stop to the reckless release of methyl bromide gas at New Zealand ports.

Methyl bromide is mostly used for log fumigation at New Zealand ports. Its use has increased by more than 300% since 2001, even though methyl bromide fumigation is no longer used in horticulture, and an alternative toxin, phosphine, is sometimes used for log fumigation. A further huge increase in log exports requiring phytosanitary fumigation is expected in the next few years.

The Environment Court made a decision limiting the permitted release of the neurotoxic, ozone-depleting methyl bromide fumigant at Port Nelson. This decision is premised on the introduction of the recapture of unused gas and includes strict limits on worker and community exposure.

Almost simultaneously, a prosecution brought by the Ministry of Economic Development for reckless discharge of an ozone-depleting substance, resulted in the conviction and fining of two refrigeration engineers $750 plus court costs each. The engineers had released the refrigerant chlorodifluoromethane, an HCFC gas, which must not be discharged under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996.

Although methyl bromide is also an ozone depleting gas, its use is less restricted, because of its frequent use as a phytosanitary fumigant. Soil & Health has regularly pointed out this contradiction.

“Regarding the charges of reckless discharge of an ozone depleting substance, the MED director was quoted as saying the protection of the ozone layer was an important priority, but MED is not charging those with a continuing history of releasing vast volumes of methyl bromide recklessly at ports throughout New Zealand,” says Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“While the refrigeration engineers deserved being convicted, MED should now look very closely at fumigating company Genera’s log fumigation operations. I suggest Port Wellington and Port Tauranga just for starters.”

“At the recent Rail & Maritime Transport Union conference’s methyl bromide forum, the Genera representative was challenged directly by Port Tauranga delegates, when the representative said all large fumigations were monitored closely. The delegates had never seen any monitoring by Genera when tarpaulins were removed from large piles of logs, allowing methyl bromide to be released into the air.”

“My experience with Wellington’s Centre Port was similar,” said Mr Browning. “Until Soil & Health began lobbying against the reckless discharge of methyl bromide adjacent to Waterloo Quay and Westpac Stadium, Genera rarely used any warning signage, failed to monitor correctly, and discharged near unprotected port workers and without stopping internal port traffic.”

“ All this, even though Genera were stopped from fumigation in Port Marlborough’s Shakespeare Bay because of a lack of appropriate controls. Soil & Health had brought this to the attention of authorities. At the same time Genera were involved with an Environment Court hearing in Nelson where substantive evidence pointed out the health risks and showed the unpredictable movement of the neurotoxic, carcinogenic gas that has no odour, taste or colour.”

“Genera appear to only take worker safety even vaguely seriously when confronted port by port. It is beholden on MfE, MED, ERMA and occupational health officers to lift their game and stop this company from its reckless behaviour. If its clean green approach to climate change is to be taken seriously, Government must insist that the log industry, fumigators, and the ports urgently implement fumigant gas recapture technology. Methyl bromide contributes to global warming by weakening the UV limiting atmospheric ozone layer.”

ERMA, who is to begin a 2-½ year process reassessing methyl bromide’s use and controls, is also developing an interim Code of Practice – The Control and Safe Use of Fumigants.

“If ERMA is to live up to its name, the Environmental Risk Management Authority, and not under a recent misnomer the Economic Risk Management Authority, it must implement urgent and effective environmental and community health standards. It must not recommend anything less than the Environment Court.”

“ERMA’s draft Code of Practice must urgently reflect the decision of the Environment Court. The most current and detailed evidence available on the safe use of methyl bromide was considered and accepted by the Court,” said Mr Browning. “However a strong direction from the Ministry for the Environment that an acute exposure level be incorporated into ERMA’s Code of Practise will be necessary for the Code of Practise to be effective.”

“MfE must also assist local authorities to ensure that commodity log exports do not come first, over community protection, and that local authorities air plans include ERMA’s Code of Practice and are not left impotent in enforcement proceedings.”

“Soil & Health is committed to removal of ozone depleting neurotoxic fumigants from our clean green environment and aims for an Organic 2020.”

Scion’s GE trees damage NZ’s reputation on Arbor Day and World Environment Day

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The State Owned Enterprise (SOE) Scion (formerly Forest Research Institute), whose ‘science’ is involved in massive GE tree plantation projects in Brazil and the USA, has a failed GE tree field trial at its Rotorua site that is is still growing. This is despite public assurances that the trees would be removed, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

A month ago Scion said its experimental GE field trial was coming to an end and the 50 trees remaining, after protestors earlier cut down 19, would be removed in the next few weeks. Last week Scion received permission from ERMA (Environmental Risk Management Authority) to compost the fifty 5 metre tall trees within the field trial site, but the trees are still in the ground. Scion has said it intends to remove the trees before June 13.

“Does Scion need a hand to remove their remaining illegal trees?” asks Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “I am visting the site this morning saw included and like many New Zealanders would be only too pleased to help.”

“With World Environment Day this year hosted in New Zealand and falling today on Arbor Day, it would have been desirable if New Zealand had no environmentally risky trees in its environment.”

“Everyday the trees remain growing is another day of risk, with Scion still not meeting consent requirements set down by ERMA.”

In late 2007 Soil & Health had identified Scion’s breaches of several consent conditions including that of the risk of GE pollen release by incorrect pruning. Following the protestors’ breach of the trial’s security fence, MAF Biosecurity NZ investigated and Scion subsequently decided its experiment was finished just 4 years into its potential 22-year term.

The success of Soil & Health and fellow NGO GE Free NZ in bringing the field trial to an end is soured by Scion’s ‘science’ involvement with GE eucalypt research for giant GE forest company ArborGen, one third formed by Fletcher Forest’s spin off company Rubicon. ArborGen is planning further large-scale GE eucalypt plantations in the USA and Brazil.

“Scion and Rubicon’s involvement with large-scale GE brings shame to New Zealand’s clean, green GE free reputation at a time when the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (Bonn from 12th -31 May) has been grappling with designing controls for GE trees,” says Mr Browning.

The New Zealand delegation sided with Australia and Canada and opposed African nations’ calls to suspend the release of GE trees until there is more conclusive proof of their environmental safety. This includes the effects of such trees on animals, insects and microbes that live on and around the trees.

Instead of New Zealand representing its citizens and taking a stand against the risk of global ecological disaster, MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and MAF are looking after old money and giant multinationals. These commercial imperatives are blocking good science and precaution.”

“Scion has significant other high quality research and activity that it should focus on. GE research whether for biofuels or timber sullies Scion’s reputation.”

“Poor science with a New Zealand label also has the potential to ruin the clean green reputation that New Zealand’s biggest earners, primary production and tourism, currently enjoy.”

Soil & Health has a vision of an Organic 2020 and is opposed to GE in food and environment.

Highly toxic Endosulfan found in lettuce, strawberries, courgettes

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The deadly toxic pesticide endosulfan has been found in lettuce, strawberries, courgettes in the latest government food residue testing.

Endosulfan, already banned in 56 countries because of its high toxicity and environmental persistence, has been nominated by the European Union for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention.

“That this old-fashioned organochlorine pesticide is still being used by New Zealand is deeply embarrassing for New Zealand on the global stage, and that it is still turning up as residues in our daily food is complete unacceptable for the health of New Zealanders”, said Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa Co-ordinator Dr Meriel Watts.

“It is an endocrine disruptor, mimicking oestrogen at very low levels of exposure and is implicated in breast cancer. It is also a neurotoxin and is linked to Parkinson’s disease, it causes birth defects, and it undermines the immune system. As well as that, many hundreds of people have been killed overseas, particularly in Africa and India, by exposure to this pesticide when used in agriculture.”

“All over the world endosulfan contaminates the environment – New Zealand use probably contributes to the residues found in elephant seals in the Antarctic. It also contaminates human breast-milk, adipose tissue, placental tissue and umbilical cord blood, meaning that the unborn child is exposed, and then re-exposed on birth through breast milk. Any use whatsoever adds to this global environmental and human burden.”

In 2005 New Zealand faced the embarrassment, and a $30 million dollar loss, when Korea found illegal residues of endosulfan in NZ export beef.

“ERMA is reassessing endosulfan and we hope this will bring about a final ban on it but in the meantime, we call on growers to immediately stop use of this highly toxic and destructive pesticide,” said Dr Watts and Soil & Health Association spokesperson Mr Browning.

“New Zealand needs to be a leader in removing pesticides not a follower,” said Mr Browning, “Organic foods produced without such pesticides are the fastest growing sector of the food and beverage trade internationally.”