❓ Hon Jim Scott questions the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) on its use of Roundup herbicide for weed control in conservation areas and waterways. The response details CALM's practices to minimize environmental impact and ensure safety.
AnsweredQoN 1147Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(b) conservation areas in the metropolitan region; and (c) along waterways and rivers?
(c) along waterways and rivers?
(b) conservation areas in the metropolitan region; and (c) along waterways and rivers?
(c) along waterways and rivers?
(c) CALM attempts to limit the use of any chemical control in and around waterways and only use this option when it is deemed essential. If it is considered necessary to use herbicides within 20 metres of any wetlands, waterways or rivers CALM uses Roundup Biactive. This form of Roundup has eliminated the surfactant that causes a problem for frogs and is a herbicide that has been registered for use in aquatic situations under certain conditions in all states of Australia. (2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
(2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
(c) along waterways and rivers?
(b) conservation areas in the metropolitan region; and (c) along waterways and rivers?
(c) along waterways and rivers?
(c) CALM attempts to limit the use of any chemical control in and around waterways and only use this option when it is deemed essential. If it is considered necessary to use herbicides within 20 metres of any wetlands, waterways or rivers CALM uses Roundup Biactive. This form of Roundup has eliminated the surfactant that causes a problem for frogs and is a herbicide that has been registered for use in aquatic situations under certain conditions in all states of Australia. (2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
(2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 September 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
15 days
(1) (a-b) The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) uses Roundup (Glyphosate) to assist in controlling both annual and perennial environmental weeds on all land categories managed by the Department. Alternative methods of weed control are evaluated prior to using chemicals. As Roundup is a broad-spectrum herbicide it is used conservatively for spot and selective treatments in order to ensure native vegetation is not detrimentally impacted. To minimise any adverse environmental impacts through herbicide application, all personnel follow the directions found on the label and the job prescription sheet that is prepared by the officer in charge of each specific job. This prescription outlines the specific nature of the herbicide application, weed species targeted, the area to be treated and under what conditions the application should take place.
(c) CALM attempts to limit the use of any chemical control in and around waterways and only use this option when it is deemed essential. If it is considered necessary to use herbicides within 20 metres of any wetlands, waterways or rivers CALM uses Roundup Biactive. This form of Roundup has eliminated the surfactant that causes a problem for frogs and is a herbicide that has been registered for use in aquatic situations under certain conditions in all states of Australia.
(2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
(c) CALM attempts to limit the use of any chemical control in and around waterways and only use this option when it is deemed essential. If it is considered necessary to use herbicides within 20 metres of any wetlands, waterways or rivers CALM uses Roundup Biactive. This form of Roundup has eliminated the surfactant that causes a problem for frogs and is a herbicide that has been registered for use in aquatic situations under certain conditions in all states of Australia.
(2) (a-c) CALM, like other bodies who apply pesticides, are bound by the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956. These regulations are in place to protect the applicator, the public and the environment from the misuse of herbicide. To comply with these Regulations CALM has developed a Chemical Users Manual which details the procedures that must be followed when handling, mixing and applying chemicals and also gives specific instructions for the safe use of individual chemicals. All CALM personnel who carry out herbicide application are required to complete accredited training or work under direct supervision of staff who are trained and accredited. A specific Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and job prescription is prepared for each herbicide application. The JSA outlines the measures that should be taken to ensure personal safety for herbicide use and the prescription details the specific conditions under which any application should be conducted to ensure that potential impacts on surrounding areas or other people nearby are avoided. Roundup has a very low degree of toxicity and there is minimal risk to public health through correct application. Chemical exposure records are kept for all chemical contacts.
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