Time to pull stumps on arsenic herbicide
Green MP Sue Kedgley is calling on the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) to immediately halt the use of methylarsinic acid — an arsenic based herbicide used on New Zealand sports fields. ERMA today confirmed it is reviewing this arsenic based herbicide.
“Arsenic is something most people associate with poisoners’ in old movies not something we expect is being sprayed around sports grounds. The next Dan Vettori or Dan Carter could be playing on fields sprayed with this muck,” said Ms Kedgley.
The preliminary recommendation made by ERMA is that existing approvals for this herbicide be revoked. Ms Kedgley hopes ERMA will take a strong stand on this substance, as they did with the insecticide Endosulfan, and stop its use.
“Arsenic does not degrade in the environment and is like a ticking time bomb when it comes to people’s health. The European Union, Canada and the United States are all withdrawing this toxic substance.
Massey University even point out on their website that this chemical is too toxic for home use but continues to be used by commercial green-keepers.
“About the only benefit likely to be put up as an argument for keeping this dreadful stuff is that it controls weeds cheaply. More important surely is the cost to people’s health and our over-stretched health system from continuing to spray arsenic into our environment,” said Ms Kedgley.
“Let’s not let this compound continue to be used during a likely ‘phase out period’ should ERMA’s initial assessment be confirmed. The umpire needs to give this poison ‘Out’ right now.”
Link to Massey University website