❓ The Minister acknowledges past contamination of cattle with dieldrin from soil around power poles treated with aldrin. They state there's no known evidence of residue problems from weedicides but emphasize adherence to quality assurance and vendor declarations.
AnsweredQoN 1014Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of any past instances of farm animals being contaminated by sprays used by Western Power to control vegetation growth beneath power lines or to protect power poles from termites, etc?
(2) If the ingestion of such sprays impacts upon the quality of meat produced by grazing animals, what implications does this pose to Western Australian farmers who are required to meet quality assurance and other product quality standards for the export trade?
(3) Is the Minister aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation that is generated by high voltage power lines?
(2) If the ingestion of such sprays impacts upon the quality of meat produced by grazing animals, what implications does this pose to Western Australian farmers who are required to meet quality assurance and other product quality standards for the export trade?
(3) Is the Minister aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation that is generated by high voltage power lines?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2001
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
34 days
There have been instances of cattle detected with dieldrin residues as a result of consuming soil around power poles. Investigation of these cases has show that where cattle disturb the soil at the base of a power pole a few animals in the mob may take in sufficient soil with dieldrin residues to result in violative levels. Up until 1983, Western Power (then the State Electricity Commission) used aldrin in a mixture poured around the base of power poles to protect them from termites. Aldrin breaks down into dieldrin. Power poles around which soil is not disturbed do not constitute a significant risk to animals. There is no known evidence that spraying weedicides under power transformers and switch poles has resulted in any residue problems. However, all producers should observe grazing withholding periods whenever sprays are used. (2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program. "Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
There is no known evidence that spraying weedicides under power transformers and switch poles has resulted in any residue problems. However, all producers should observe grazing withholding periods whenever sprays are used. (2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program. "Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
(2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program. "Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
"Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
(3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
There is no known evidence that spraying weedicides under power transformers and switch poles has resulted in any residue problems. However, all producers should observe grazing withholding periods whenever sprays are used. (2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program. "Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
(2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program. "Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
"Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
(3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines.
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