Report of calf defects after paddock sprayed

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 3

Report of calf defects after paddock sprayed

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 7.

A Te Puke farmer’s wife has written to Professor R. Elliot, head of the Auckland University pediatrics department, giving details of calf deformities which she says occurred after 2,4,5-T was sprayed on the family farm.

The woman said that 10 cows out of 160 had given birth to deformed calves after they were put in a paddock soon after it was sprayed with 2,4,5-T.

The deformed calves were born in 1964, she said, and, because of the high number deformed, detailed information had been kept.

About 60 acres had been sprayed from the air with the weedkiller to kill gorse. Three days later the 160 cows, many of which were about 12 weeks pregnant, had been put in the paddock.

All the deformed calves were either stillborn or died soon after birth, she said. A veterinary surgeon had inspected the calves and found thev suffered from Spina bifida.

In recent weeks several New Zealand women have claimed they were exposed to 2,4,5-T in early pregnancy and gave birth later to deformed children. These children suffered spinal deformities, including Spina bifida. The Te Puke woman said the family farm had been heavily sprayed with 2|4,5-T in 1964; after that, the spray was used only in limited amounts on small areas.

She wrote to .Professor Elliot after recent publicity about a possible link between the weedkiller and deformed babies. "BULLS TESTED” When the calf deformities were noticed in 1964, the veterinarian had said he could find no reason for them. Sire bulls were tested for genetic faults but the results had proved negative. The Te Puke woman’s letter and about 24 others are

now being studied by Professor Elliot.

Professor Elliot said today that copies of letters from the public on 2,4,5-T were being sent to the Health Department in Wellington.

The president of the New Zealand Medical Association (Dr E. Geiringer) said today that the Government did not take enough precautions when a drug became suspect.

Referring to the antidepressant drug imipramine and to 2,4,5-T. Dr Geiringet said that the medical profession was far more careful.

Australian Government authorities have advised the country’s 18,000 doctors not to prescribe imipramine to women of child-bearing age until the issue associating it with congenital abnormalities is clarified.

Dr Geiringer said New Zealand doctors would follow this move until the drug’s dangers were expounded. But the Government and particularly the Department of Agriculture, were not so cautious, and continue to allow the use of 2,4,5-T which, he said, had also been linked with the birth of deformed babies.