Diuron use risks Barrier Reef: WWF

A FEDERAL government decision to reinstate the use of diuron on weeds in water bodies is not enough to protect the Great Barrier Reef despite new conditions, conservationists say.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) suspended the use of some diuron products in 2011 pending a review of the chemical, used on weeds and algae in and around water bodies.

It affirmed the registration of most diuron products on Tuesday with new conditions of use, APVMA spokeswoman Susan Whitbread said.

Restrictions have been put in place for the spraying of individual crops and no-spray times will apply to sugarcane and pineapple crops.

"We have made a considerable effort to develop workable instructions for the continued use of diuron, while ensuring we can effectively manage risks from the use of this environmentally mobile and persistent chemical," Ms Whitbread says.

Approval for industrial applications and use in non-agricultural situations, citrus, apples and pears, ornamental plants and tropical crops including tea, coffee and paw paw has been rejected.

The rate of application has been restricted and farmers will not be able to spray when heavy or persistent rain is forecast.

WWF spokesman Nick Heath said the decision would result in the continued contamination of freshwater systems and marine environments and put the health of Australians at risk.

The chemical is classified in the United States as a known or likely carcinogen.

It has been linked to coral bleaching and seagrass die-back on the Great Barrier Reef, accounting for 80 per cent of the herbicide pollution on the reef, Mr Heath said.

"The APVMA has again failed to protect the Great Barrier Reef," he said.

"We call on the minister and the prime minister to intervene and give the APVMA stronger powers and an obligation to ban these dangerous chemicals."

Despite the efforts by farmers to do the right thing and control Diuron use the evidence was the chemical was persistent and unmanageable that escaped paddocks and contaminated the reef.

"To give an indication of how toxic this stuff is, just one gram in four Olympic-sized swimming pools is enough to damage sea grass," Mr Heath said.

"And one of the most sensitive sea grasses is the preferred food source for turtle and dugongs."

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