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Recent media reports about the use of glyphosate in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area) have inaccurately suggested that the Wet Tropics Management Authority (the Authority) has allowed inappropriate use of the herbicide within the Area.
The Authority’s Executive Director, Scott Buchanan, said the Authority works to protect the World Heritage listed Area guided by the best science available.
This includes working with councils across the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to undertake the most environmentally-friendly maintenance activities on council-managed assets within and adjacent to the Area, through the issuing of permits.
“We encourage councils to use the most eco-friendly products and methods wherever possible, and we work closely with them to find the most sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions as they become available,” he said.
However, where mechanical weed removal is impractical or uneconomical, use of glyphosate-based herbicides may occur under a permit with strict conditions to minimise impacts on the Area.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) conducted a hazard assessment in 2015 when it determined that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. A hazard assessment simply asks if a substance can cause harm. A risk assessment asks instead if a substance can cause harm under conditions of normal exposure.
Most organisations that conducted risk assessments after the IARC decision, including the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, concluded that glyphosate does not cause cancer when used according to safety instructions, and endorsed its continued use.
“According to a report from the Invasive Species Council glyphosate is not as dangerous as some media reports imply,” Mr Buchanan said.
In a media statement released in November last year the Council stated: “Glyphosate is the main chemical used to control environmental weeds in Australia, so a ban would have serious consequences for nature conservation.”
See full media statement and report here:
https://invasives.org.au/media-releases/report-weedkiller-glyphosate-is-not-the-enemy/
https://invasives.org.au/publications/glyphosate-a-chemical-to-understand/
“Though there may be impacts associated with the use of herbicides, the proliferation of invasive weeds is often a far greater threat to the integrity of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Area,” he said.
Mr Buchanan said according to the report many countries moved to ban glyphosate in 2019, but very few bans went through. This was because glyphosate was considered safer than most alternative herbicides and was often more effective.
However, he said it was critical that councils seeking permits from the Authority correctly followed its guidelines when applying glyphosate which are:
• Mechanical weed management is the preferred method of weed control and herbicide is only to be used where mechanical methods are not economical or practical.
• All applications should be used strictly in accordance with instructions.
• Herbicides must be used selectively to avoid non-target plants.
• Surfactants must not be used in the vicinity of wetlands and waterways and herbicide drift must be minimised.
• Treatment must be carried out by a trained operator.
“The Authority regularly reinforces these conditions through training and during ongoing liaison with local governments.” Mr Buchanan said.
“Though there may be impacts associated with the use of herbicides, the proliferation of invasive weeds is often a far greater threat to the integrity of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Area,” he said.
Media enquiries:
Jeanette Wormald | Strategic Communication Advisor
Mobile: 0436949243 | Jeanette.Wormald@wtma.qld.gov.au
