Eris O'Brien
Further to my previous post on Eris O'Brien and the locusts, Eris was part of a segment on the locusts on Victoria's Stateline to-night. Eris uses the term locust migration instead of locust plague. He also speaks of other options. He spoke of the experience of long-ago farmers in the Wimmera district who used repellent methods other than chemicals to deal with the periodic extremes of numbers of locusts.
I find amazing some omissions from the public information.
Firstly, we are not told exactly how organic farmers - agricultural and horticultural - are managing or what their views are. Organic food production is on the rise. There is an increasing demand for it from consumers. I would like to know what organic food producers are planning to do in their part of the food cycle. It is said there is not ready availability of organically suitable pesticides. Is this correct? Will these types of insecticides be in widespread or limited use? What assurances do we have to their safety both for humans, for wildlife and beneficial insects?
Secondly, I have not heard from any food activists (ones that you hear from in regard to genetic modification of food or in discussion about ethical consumerism) of their views on the chemicals about to enter our food chain.
Nitrothion 1000 appears to be the chemical of choice for killing the locusts and I have above published a document which can be downloaded in this regard.
On Statewide, all sorts of assurances were given: there will be buffer zones; no spraying near waterways, beehive sites, and environmentally sensitive areas - so we are told.
The manner of conveying this information was brief and offhand. Where Eris O'Brien is clear and detailed in explaining the situation from his viewpoint, the proponents and deliverers of death by insecticide to locusts and, I believe, other wildlife were not trying to convince anyone really. Their words were placed - as far as I could assess - as an afterthought and merely as a matter of form There was little or no attempt to explain, convince and assure. And the whole Stateline segment appeared to have the imprimatur of John Brumby, Premier of Victoria, who participated in the beginning of the segment. He did the reassuring with a well spoken version of "she'll be right - we have the sprays" attitude.
The only one who put forward a point of view based on reason, experience, and science was Eris O'Brien. He was convincing. A pity the dominant view couldn't be bothered. The dominant view clearly doesn't believe it has to convince anyone - and that everyone will just fall in behind their point of view and their execution of what is required to do a chemical kill-off of the locusts. I would advise them to think again. I for one am not convinced.
I am new to Eris O'Brien's arguments - and, at the moment, I find his argument convincing. Most convincing indeed!
On Statewide, all sorts of assurances were given: there will be buffer zones; no spraying near waterways, beehive sites, and environmentally sensitive areas - so we are told.
The manner of conveying this information was brief and offhand. Where Eris O'Brien is clear and detailed in explaining the situation from his viewpoint, the proponents and deliverers of death by insecticide to locusts and, I believe, other wildlife were not trying to convince anyone really. Their words were placed - as far as I could assess - as an afterthought and merely as a matter of form There was little or no attempt to explain, convince and assure. And the whole Stateline segment appeared to have the imprimatur of John Brumby, Premier of Victoria, who participated in the beginning of the segment. He did the reassuring with a well spoken version of "she'll be right - we have the sprays" attitude.
The only one who put forward a point of view based on reason, experience, and science was Eris O'Brien. He was convincing. A pity the dominant view couldn't be bothered. The dominant view clearly doesn't believe it has to convince anyone - and that everyone will just fall in behind their point of view and their execution of what is required to do a chemical kill-off of the locusts. I would advise them to think again. I for one am not convinced.
I am new to Eris O'Brien's arguments - and, at the moment, I find his argument convincing. Most convincing indeed!
Hi Brigid
ReplyDeleteThanks for that follow-up report.
You need to understand that the Regulatory Authorities in Australia rely on overseas studies prior to their granting approval.
Your FAO report is appropriate.
Chemicals (and drugs) get approved on the basis of tests done overseas, and then only if and when there are problems do they review their original approval. Remember Thalidomide? That's a classic case.
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So, what about the impact on Bees? Bees are vital pollinators for most plants (except grasses which are wind-pollinated). Canola, for example is totally bee pollinated. So are the fruit trees of the Goulburn Valley.
That document states:
<< "36. For classification of risks to honey bees the widely accepted hazard ratio is used, which is defined as the recommended dose rate (gram of a.i. per ha) divided by the LD50 (microgram of a.i. per bee). Low risk to bees corresponds to a hazard ratio <50; medium risk to a hazard ratio between 50 and 500; high risk to a hazard ratio of >500. It is acknowledged that this classification deviates from the one used by EPPO, that does not define a medium risk class. The EPPO threshold for low risk includes a safety factor of about 10. This safety margin area is defined by the Pesticide Referee Group as a medium risk. The risk discussed here refers to risk to adult worker bees only. However, risk to brood may be caused by the insect growth regulators when transported by the worker bees into the hives and fed to the brood.">>
Does that convince you?
It doesn't convince me.
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The stuff about Wind Drift is theoretical nonsense. The sprayer are contractors, paid to deliver the load of spray. There is no supervision. If it drifts across a waterway, who isd going to complain - until next year when some biologist discovers there are no fish or frogs in the local streams or lakes.
Its too bloody late then.
The Spray Contractor has literally flown off - long since.
I need to stop. I am so angry with this process.
Of course Brumby and the DPI people would say it is all OK.
The alternative would be for them to appear powerless and ineffective. The problem is that by the times problems are proven to have arisen, they will say it cannot be proven to be "linked" to the spraying program.
Meanwhile Brumby will have moved on. All he cares about is getting re-elected in November. Then he can stand down and take up Consultancies for the rest of his life.
Not Happy.
Denis
Thank you,Denis. You know me too well. My science literacy is not top notch but I perused sufficient to realise that the document was worth airing.
ReplyDeleteYour environmental knowledge superimposed on the doc and on my post is most welcome and adds to the resource of the blog.
I have written to Eris on his website and asked if it would be possible for him to keep us updated on his experience. I sure hope he can do this.
It is clear to me that Brumby and his ministers prefer the superficial to any depth of knowledge - as long as the sound bite convinces most of the people most of the time.
I have been off at a conference to-day where Ken Davidson was the opening speaker and Rob Stary, the civil rights barrister, spoke too. Needless to say, they are not Brumby fans.
Perhaps Victoria needs a hung Parliament too to try and give our pollies the message that electors want some intelligent representation and intelligent discussion of policy issues. Certainly, not the pap and rubbish being dished out now.
Blessings and bliss
Brigid
Hi Brigid
ReplyDeleteI have posted a follow-up article, and linked back to the Stateline Program which is now up on the ABC site. Thanks for that tip off.
I have focussed primarily on the threat to bees in today's post.
Bees pollinate the majority of our non-cereal food crops. Citrus, and the stone fruits and pome fruits of the Goulburn Valley. Damn, I forgot grapes. I have to go back and add them in.
Even if they have flowered this season, if there is a massive Bee kill, the pollination rate next season could be drastically reduced.
Glad you have written to Eris.
Please give him my regards and support.
Cheers
Denis