By JONATHON HOWARD
THE Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (APVMA) has responded to concerns over the use of Roundup.
Noosa Today recently wrote to the APVMA regarding the use of Roundup near Weyba Creek.
The following questions and answers were supplied by a spokesperson for the APVMA:
1. Could the use of Roundup (herbicide) on grasses affect the wildlife, aquatic life or other species around the creek?
The APVMA assesses all the potential risks at the time products are registered. This includes risks to human health, worker safety and the environment. Labels on glyphosate products include restrictions to their use around aquatic areas. Non-target species, such as fish, birds, bees and other insects are considered in the environmental toxicity assessment. Used correctly, according to the label instructions, glyphosate should not affect non-target species.
2. What research has been carried out in relation to the use of Roundup?
The APVMA contracted an external toxicology consultant to prepare a review of relevant and recent studies and to explore claims made in an article published by Earth Open Source.
3. What are the long-term issues related to the use of Roundup?
The APVMA actively monitors reviews and actions by other regulators. If there are any issues associated with long-term use, and new evidence or studies are available, the APVMA will consider those studies and determine whether any action is warranted.
4. How does Roundup help control invasive weeds/grasses?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, non-selective, post-emergence herbicide with high activity on virtually all annual and perennial plants.
In Australia, glyphosate is approved for the control of a wide range of annual, perennial, tree, brush and woody weeds.
5. What is the correct use of Roundup and how is this monitored?
All glyphosate products are to be used according to label instructions and monitoring is the responsibility of state and territory government agencies.
