❓ Hon Giz Watson asks about pesticide use policies and oversight in WA schools. The Minister provides information on guidelines, responsibilities, permitted pesticides, monitoring, and alternative weed control methods, noting limited central record-keeping.
AnsweredQoN 4977Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Minister please table, or provide the electronic link for, all policies and guidelines currently applicable in Western Australian schools regarding pesticide use in schools and school grounds?
(2) Does the Department of Education oversee the use of pesticides in schools?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2) -
(a) which pesticides are permitted by the Department to be used;
(b) in which schools has Fipromil been used within the last two years;
(c) what monitoring occurs to ensure that any breaches regarding pesticide use are identified and appropriate action taken;
(d) what monitoring occurs to ensure that any negative health impacts on staff, students or others are identified and appropriate action taken; and
(e) which, if any schools use steam or Waipuna treatment or other non-herbicide means of weed control?
(2) Does the Department of Education oversee the use of pesticides in schools?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2) -
(a) which pesticides are permitted by the Department to be used;
(b) in which schools has Fipromil been used within the last two years;
(c) what monitoring occurs to ensure that any breaches regarding pesticide use are identified and appropriate action taken;
(d) what monitoring occurs to ensure that any negative health impacts on staff, students or others are identified and appropriate action taken; and
(e) which, if any schools use steam or Waipuna treatment or other non-herbicide means of weed control?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 March 2012
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Education
Response time
118 days
With regard to Western Australian public schools, I am advised by the Department of Education as follows:
(1) The attached documents guide the use of pesticides in schools and on school grounds [see tabled paper no]:
· "Pesticide use in schools and school grounds" National Environmental Health Monographs General Series No. 1, 1997
· "PestManagement in Schools" Australian Government Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, 2008
(2) School administrators are responsible for overseeing the pesticides (insecticides) used on school grounds by the school gardener or by a licensed pest control technician. The Department of Education oversees those pesticides used in broadacre spraying operations such as oval spraying.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)(a) Using the Schedules as formulated by the Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (previously the National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee), school gardeners are permitted to use Schedule 5 pesticides without referring to the Department of Education. Special permission must be obtained from the Department prior to using a Schedule 6 chemical. School gardeners are encouraged through their training to seek out the least toxic chemical product that is capable of delivering the desired outcome.
(4)(b) It is assumed that the Honourable Member is referring to "Fipronil", an active constituent, approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, used in many pesticides, including domestic products (e.g. "Frontline" dog flea control). The Department does not keep a central record as to which schools have used pesticides with Fipronil as an active constituent.
(4)(c) The Department of Education relies on the professionalism of licensed pest control technicians and approved users such as mowing contractors regarding the use of pesticides.
(4)(d) There is no specific health monitoring program in relation to pesticides. However, should an adverse event take place, it would be investigated by either the Principal Consultant Environmental Health or the Department's Occupational Safety and Health Unit.
(4)(e) The number of schools using steam, Waipuna treatment or other non-herbicide treatment for weed control is not held centrally by the Department of Education.
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(1) The attached documents guide the use of pesticides in schools and on school grounds [see tabled paper no]:
· "Pesticide use in schools and school grounds" National Environmental Health Monographs General Series No. 1, 1997
· "PestManagement in Schools" Australian Government Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, 2008
(2) School administrators are responsible for overseeing the pesticides (insecticides) used on school grounds by the school gardener or by a licensed pest control technician. The Department of Education oversees those pesticides used in broadacre spraying operations such as oval spraying.
(3) Not applicable.
(4)(a) Using the Schedules as formulated by the Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (previously the National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee), school gardeners are permitted to use Schedule 5 pesticides without referring to the Department of Education. Special permission must be obtained from the Department prior to using a Schedule 6 chemical. School gardeners are encouraged through their training to seek out the least toxic chemical product that is capable of delivering the desired outcome.
(4)(b) It is assumed that the Honourable Member is referring to "Fipronil", an active constituent, approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, used in many pesticides, including domestic products (e.g. "Frontline" dog flea control). The Department does not keep a central record as to which schools have used pesticides with Fipronil as an active constituent.
(4)(c) The Department of Education relies on the professionalism of licensed pest control technicians and approved users such as mowing contractors regarding the use of pesticides.
(4)(d) There is no specific health monitoring program in relation to pesticides. However, should an adverse event take place, it would be investigated by either the Principal Consultant Environmental Health or the Department's Occupational Safety and Health Unit.
(4)(e) The number of schools using steam, Waipuna treatment or other non-herbicide treatment for weed control is not held centrally by the Department of Education.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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