Pesticide inquiry deadline defended

Press, 16 July 1986, Page 28

Pesticide inquiry deadline defended

The inquiry into the pesticide, 2,4,5-T, had to report to the Minister of Health, Dr Bassett, by October 1, and therefore required submissions by July 25, said its head, Professor Jeffrey Brinkman.

Professor Brinkman was replying to criticism from Greenpeace and the Pesticide Action Network that the time for lodging submissions was too short. The inquiry was due to hear submissions in New Plymouth in mid-August, he said.

“That doesn’t give us a lot of time to work in either, with only August and September to consider the submissions,” he said.

The Inquiry wanted written submissions before the New Plymouth hearing so it could know what people were thinking and explore those thoughts during the hearing.

“Those who want more time to • make their submissions can write to the Ministerial committee and ask for an extension. We want to hear everyone’s viewpoint on this matter,” he said.

The three-man committee will investigate the production of 2,4,5-T at New Plymouth’s Ivon Watkins-Dow factory and its use as an agricultural weedlcide. It comprises Professor Brinkman, a former dean of Otago University, Dr Brian Earle, a chemical engineer at the University of Canterbury, and Professor Richard Matthews, a cell biologist at Auckland University.

Professor Brinkman said that the Environmental Council had indicated it could give the committee a copy of its report on August 1. This was an initial investigation into the production and use of 2,4,5-T.

“After we have presented our report to Dr Bassett he might recommend that a further study into 2,4,5-T be carried out.”

Greenpeace and P.A.N. have called for the closing of the Ivon Watkins-Dow factory, at least until Government investigations have concluded. A spokesman for Dr Bassett said recently that Dr Bassett had insufficient evidence so. far to warrant closing the factory.