What is it?
The Tasmanian Eco-Toxicology Research Fund is a public fund set-up to undertake quality research on the health of our environment. The fund was established through a generous donation to Environment Tasmania Inc. in 2008. Funds will be used to support independent, strategic, eco-toxicology testing & research and will be used to raise public awareness about eco-toxicology threats to our environment and public health.
We need it because?
Currently the Tasmanian community relies on public authorities for the regulation of all chemicals (including known pollutants) used in the environment. The government’s approach to monitoring for the effects of pollution is too reactive, mainly responding to serious spillages or significant incidents. The long-term consequences of exposures to toxic chemicals within the environment including, the food chain and public health are being neglected. A proactive approach is essential to to highlight the exposure to toxic pollutants in Tasmania.
Tas Eco -Toxicology Research Fund is a catalyst for change from the ‘bottom-up’ with the community as its heart. It will support public and occupational health, trade in food based commodities, wildlife monitoring, and of course, ecological sustainability. This will assist in independent eco-toxicology testing and research within Tasmania.
How does it work?
The fund is hosted by Tasmania’s peak environment body, Environment Tasmania. Research projects and activities will be assessed by an advisory board.
Some Tasmanian toxicology issues:
- Currently Tasmanian authorities approve the use of a cocktail of biocidal sprays used on broad acre horticulture and forestry plantations. There are ongoing pollution impacts on local water catchments and groundwater, as well as polluting air, soil and water, including domestic (and household tank) water supplies.
- Pollution is leaching from chemical dump sites, industrial and mine sites.
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The detection of significant persistent organic pollutant residues
in Tasmanian devils and Tasmanian platypus is a particular cause for concern. -
Public health consequences of environmental pollution and
contamination of waterways, air and public sites in Tasmania are of major concern. In 2009 a request for chemical policy reform, as part of Tasmania’s preventative health strategy, was directed to Ministers Giddings and Llewellyn.
Fund Patron - Peter Cundall, Australia’s famous gardener and TV personality. Peter currently lives in Tasmania’s picturesque Tamar Valley, he was formerly the presenter of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has been voted 8th in the Reader’s Digest poll of the most trusted Australians, in 2006, was named Australian Humanist of the year, and in 2007 was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list for services to the environment & horticulture.
How can you help?
The trust invites donations from individuals, groups and Tasmanian businesses who support local communities, small businesses marketing ‘clean-green & residue free foods’ and larger corporations that wish to support Tasmania’s marketing advantages as the producer of low or chemical-free food.
‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!’ - Social anthropologist, Margaret Mead.
Donations
The trust is managed by Environment Tasmania and donations are warmly welcomed. If you would like to make a donation to environmental health or eco-toxicology research in Tasmania, please contact Environment Tasmania (03) 6224 6319 or office@et.org.au
