Greens launch methyl bromide petition and protest

The Green Party is stepping up its campaign against the toxic and ozone depleting methyl bromide with the launch of a petition and a protest today.

Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley is launching the petition against the Greater Wellington Regional Council calling on it to halt the use of the gas on Wellington’s waterfront – at least until such time as it has gas recapture technology in place.

The regional council, which is supposed to be the environmental steward for the region, owns 85 percent of the port.

“We’re calling on the council to fulfil its environmental responsibilities to Wellingtonians, instead of turning a blind eye to the regular ongoing release of the gas at this port.

“The council is dragging its feet on this issue and has so far ignored our calls,” Ms Kedgley says.

Large quantities of this toxic gas are released into the atmosphere each time a shipment of logs is fumigated posing a risk to the health of those Wellingtonians who live or work near the port.

This morning Ms Kedgley and a group of protestors donned white coats and gas masks and carrying signs and banners alerted morning commuters to the use of the gas at the port.

“This is part of an ongoing action that will continue until the regional council exercises environmental leadership on this issue,” Ms Kedgley says.