ERMA allows use of Methyl Bromide to continue

The Environmental Risk Management Authority’s (ERMA) decision to allow the continued use of Methyl Bromide, a highly toxic and ozone destroying gas, for another ten years, without any requirements to use recapture technology, is deeply disappointing the Green Party said today.

ERMA’s reassessment of the use of Methyl Bromide was released today with only small changes around the way the fumigant is used.

The Green Party has been calling for the gas to be phased out within five years, and for recapture technology to be required on all fumigations within one year.

“Recapture technology is practical, available and effective,” Green Party Health spokesperson Sue Kedgley said.

“There is no excuse for allowing this highly toxic and ozone depleting gas to be released directly into the atmosphere—continuing to use our atmosphere as an open sewer.

“ERMA’s decision continues to put the health and safety of port workers and anyone living near a fumigation centre at risk for the next decade.

“ERMA even allows fumigation with this toxic fumigant to take place as close as 25 metres to schools, playgrounds and early childhood centres to be built as close as 25 metres away. This is hopelessly inadequate.”

Ms Kedgley said that New Zealand had increased its use of Methyl Bromide by 500 percent over the past decade.

“The decision also breaches New Zealand’s international obligations under the Montreal Protocol, and our pledge to minimise our use of Methyl Bromide.

“Every 70 tonnes of methyl bromide we use, destroys 35.36 tonnes of ozone. New Zealand destroyed around 124 tonnes of ozone last year.”

“Our continued use of the fumigant for the next decade risks undermining our reputation as a clean, green country when the European Union has banned its use.”

Ms Kedgley said she was pleased that ERMA had required people who use the gas to report on an annual basis and had introduced some additional monitoring and other controls.

“Unfortunately, these controls will not eliminate the health risk to workers, or people living near to port fumigation areas around New Zealand, because Methyl Bromide can drift long distances, way beyond the boundaries of a port, and is almost impossible to contain.

“Because the gas has no odour or smell or warning agent, there is no way for workers or other people to know when they are being exposed to it.”

Ms Kedgley said that ERMA has a duty, under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, to protect the environment as well as the health and safety of people and communities. In allowing the continued use of Methyl Bromide for a further ten years, ERMA is neglecting this duty.