SCIENCEon Spray Drift and related issues
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SCIENCE ON SPRAY DRIFt AND ReLATeD ISSUES
Interview with Prof Richard Thackway
NSW Country Hour Extract, 26 September 2022 - Interview with Prof Richard Thackway and affected resident
Statement of Concern from a Group Of scientists
‘STATEMENT OF CONCERN FROM A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS - Vegetation degradation in intensive agronomic areas’
Richard Thackway MSC(Resource and Envir Studies) BSc(Resource and Ecology) Adjunct Assoc. Prof of Envir Sciences ANU; Peter Ampt PhD MSc(Agr) BSc(Agr) DipEd, Barbara Mactaggart, CertHort GradCert (YolnguSt) BAppSc(EnvSc) PhD; Michael Longhurst BAppSc(EnvSc), MSc(Envir Mngt and Restoration); David Goldney AM BSc Dip Ed, PhD, Dsc (Honoris causa), Adjunct Professor Charles Sturt University
1 September 2022
Richard Thackway MSC(Resource and Envir Studies) BSc(Resource and Ecology) Adjunct Assoc. Prof of Envir Sciences ANU; Peter Ampt PhD MSc(Agr) BSc(Agr) DipEd, Barbara Mactaggart, CertHort GradCert (YolnguSt) BAppSc(EnvSc) PhD; Michael Longhurst BAppSc(EnvSc), MSc(Envir Mngt and Restoration); David Goldney AM BSc Dip Ed, PhD, Dsc (Honoris causa), Adjunct Professor Charles Sturt University
1 September 2022
| 2022-09-01_statement_of_concern_final_20220901.pdf |
Interview with Prof David Goldney
ABC Radio, Extract, 18 November 2021
VEGETATION OBSERVATION STUDY BY MICHAEL LONGHURST
Vegetation observations, 8 September 2021; Report: 9 September 2021
Examination and Condition Rating Report for Peppercorn Trees – Narromine and Trangie, 17 September 2020
Compiled by Michael Longhurst and Alan Welch
COTTON AuSTRALIA REPORT
'THE CHEMICAL REPORT COTTON AUSTRALIA WON'T RELEASE'
By Harriett Alexander, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2020
"The peak cotton industry body is refusing to release a report into the cause of trees losing their leaves in the central west of NSW, despite saying there was no evidence chemical sprays were to blame. Graziers around the towns of Trangie, Warren and Narromine are concerned that some of the chemicals used in cotton farming are drifting off target, affecting other plant species and potentially compromising their health in an area reliant on rainwater for drinking.
"A technical specialist from the NSW Department of Industry inspected the area in May 2018 and noted moderate to major leaf drop among peppercorn trees and lesser damage to cadaghi and lemon-scented eucalyptus, which was 'most likely a result of large area spraying'. The report was kept secret until obtained by the Herald under freedom of information laws.
"Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Kay said it contained "zero evidence" that agricultural chemicals were involved. Cotton Australia did its own investigations around the same time in response to community concerns, commissioning a researcher from the University of New England to inspect. But it has declined to release the report, despite numerous requests from the Lower Macquarie Overspray Group, which represents concerned locals.
Mr Kay said the inspection was not a formal investigation. 'We were provided some advice, but no samples were taken for chemical testing because it was too far after the alleged event and this is the job of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA),' he said. 'This work by the researcher was in no means a formal report.' "
[emphasis added]
By Harriett Alexander, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2020
"The peak cotton industry body is refusing to release a report into the cause of trees losing their leaves in the central west of NSW, despite saying there was no evidence chemical sprays were to blame. Graziers around the towns of Trangie, Warren and Narromine are concerned that some of the chemicals used in cotton farming are drifting off target, affecting other plant species and potentially compromising their health in an area reliant on rainwater for drinking.
"A technical specialist from the NSW Department of Industry inspected the area in May 2018 and noted moderate to major leaf drop among peppercorn trees and lesser damage to cadaghi and lemon-scented eucalyptus, which was 'most likely a result of large area spraying'. The report was kept secret until obtained by the Herald under freedom of information laws.
"Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Kay said it contained "zero evidence" that agricultural chemicals were involved. Cotton Australia did its own investigations around the same time in response to community concerns, commissioning a researcher from the University of New England to inspect. But it has declined to release the report, despite numerous requests from the Lower Macquarie Overspray Group, which represents concerned locals.
Mr Kay said the inspection was not a formal investigation. 'We were provided some advice, but no samples were taken for chemical testing because it was too far after the alleged event and this is the job of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA),' he said. 'This work by the researcher was in no means a formal report.' "
[emphasis added]
NSW DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY REPORT
15 May 2018, obtained via FOI request by Harriett Alexander, journalist at SMH
| 2018-05-15_department_of_industry_report_on_defoliation_damage_-_tony_cooke.pdf |
See the following media reports on the New South Wales Department of Industry Report:
'CHEMICALS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF MYSTERY LEAF LOSS IN COTTON TOWNS, SECRET REPORT FINDS'
By Harriett Alexander, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2020
RADIO ABC ORANGE REPORT REGARDING NSW DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY REPORT
28 July 2020, Extract
Interviews with affected resident Bruce Maynard and Narromine Mayor Craig Davies
'CHEMICALS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF MYSTERY LEAF LOSS IN COTTON TOWNS, SECRET REPORT FINDS'
By Harriett Alexander, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2020
RADIO ABC ORANGE REPORT REGARDING NSW DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY REPORT
28 July 2020, Extract
Interviews with affected resident Bruce Maynard and Narromine Mayor Craig Davies
'Weather Essentials for Pesticide Application - Grower Edition'
‘Weather Essentials for Pesticide Application - Grower Edition’
Graeme Tepper, MicroMeteorology Research and Educational Services
Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Revised September 2022
Graeme Tepper, MicroMeteorology Research and Educational Services
Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Revised September 2022
MORE
Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes
Clémentine Fritsch et al, Scientific Reports, Volume 12, 23 September 2022
“Abstract:
“Knowledge gaps regarding the potential role of pesticides in the loss of agricultural biodiversity worldwide and mixture-related issues hamper proper risk assessment of unintentional impacts of pesticides, rendering essential the monitoring of wildlife exposure to these compounds. Free-ranging mammal exposure to legacy (Banned and Restricted: BRPs) and currently used (CUPs) pesticides was investigated…
“Apodemus mice (omnivore) and Crocidura shrews (insectivore) were sampled over two French agricultural landscapes (n = 93). The concentrations of 140 parent chemicals and metabolites were screened in hair samples. A total of 112 compounds were detected, showing small mammal exposure to fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with 32 to 65 residues detected per individual (13–26 BRPs and 18–41 CUPs)…
“This work suggests that wildlife exposure to pesticide mixtures is a rule rather than an exception, highlighting the need for consideration of the exposome concept and questioning appropriateness of current risk assessment and mitigation processes.”
'PESTICIDE IMIDACLOPRID THREATENS FUTURE FOR KEY POLLINATOR'
26 February 2021, University of Guelph
"Summary: An insecticide used to control pest infestations on squash and pumpkins significantly hinders the reproduction of ground-nesting bees -- valuable pollinators for many food crops, new research has revealed."
Clémentine Fritsch et al, Scientific Reports, Volume 12, 23 September 2022
“Abstract:
“Knowledge gaps regarding the potential role of pesticides in the loss of agricultural biodiversity worldwide and mixture-related issues hamper proper risk assessment of unintentional impacts of pesticides, rendering essential the monitoring of wildlife exposure to these compounds. Free-ranging mammal exposure to legacy (Banned and Restricted: BRPs) and currently used (CUPs) pesticides was investigated…
“Apodemus mice (omnivore) and Crocidura shrews (insectivore) were sampled over two French agricultural landscapes (n = 93). The concentrations of 140 parent chemicals and metabolites were screened in hair samples. A total of 112 compounds were detected, showing small mammal exposure to fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with 32 to 65 residues detected per individual (13–26 BRPs and 18–41 CUPs)…
“This work suggests that wildlife exposure to pesticide mixtures is a rule rather than an exception, highlighting the need for consideration of the exposome concept and questioning appropriateness of current risk assessment and mitigation processes.”
'PESTICIDE IMIDACLOPRID THREATENS FUTURE FOR KEY POLLINATOR'
26 February 2021, University of Guelph
"Summary: An insecticide used to control pest infestations on squash and pumpkins significantly hinders the reproduction of ground-nesting bees -- valuable pollinators for many food crops, new research has revealed."