Greens accuse government of ‘cooking up’ salmon crisis for new antibiotic approval
The Greens have accused the Tasmanian government of fabricating a salmon industry crisis to fast-track approval of a controversial antibiotic for aquaculture use.
“Cooked up” claims of an impending crisis in the salmon industry were used to bolster the case for the accelerated approval of a new antibiotic, the Greens say.
The bacteria piscirickettsia salmonis caused a mass mortality event in the local aquaculture industry last summer.
State government claims of a “very serious event” in aquaculture pens south of Hobart in August were used to bolster the case for the use of florfenicol to deal with future outbreaks instead of oxytetracycline.
After federal approval, more than 700kg has been used to date, prompting closures of lobster fisheries in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel – although testing has revealed negligible impact on wild-caught fish.
Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley said newly released documents revealed the government provided help to the industry to have approval of florfenicol fast-tracked under the guise of a crisis that did not exist in reality.
“It’s yet more evidence of what the Greens have been saying for months. The Liberal Government cooked up an ’emergency’ to placate the salmon industry and fast-track the dumping of the antibiotic in Tasmanian waters,” he said.
“The Rockliff Government should be reining in salmon farming companies, not helping them get around the rules.
“Their continued dishonesty with the Tasmanian community is shameful. It’s time they told us all the truth.
“The Premier promised Tasmanians he’d put the salmon industry “on notice” after the mass fish deaths of last summer that polluted waterways and beaches.
“Meanwhile, he’s continuing to put big salmon profits ahead of the community and environment. It’s shameful.”
In a statement, a government spokesman said priority had been placed on safety and sustainability.
“Our government remains committed to working with both the community, and salmon companies, to see continuous improvement and ensure the ongoing sustainability of the salmon industry,” he said.
“We have ensured comprehensive information on fish health, florfenicol use, regulation, and monitoring is available to the public on all relevant Department websites – including NRE Tas, the EPA and Public Health.
“Health advice in relation to florfenicol and seafood remains unchanged, and it is safe to catch fish, eat fish and swim.”
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the state government did not have a good track record in overseeing aquaculture.
“Everybody in Tasmania is concerned that the Tasmanian state government hasn’t been doing its job for years when it comes to management of our waterways,” she said.
“That has been very clear. It needs to be more transparent. It needs to do independent science, and it needs to be upfront with the Tasmanian people.”
Also on Friday, member for Franklin Peter George said he was struggling to get information out of the government about the industry.
“People working in or affected by the aquaculture sector have come to me in good faith — not as lobbyists or activists, but as Tasmanians with legitimate questions about the future of the industry and its regulation,” he said.
“When concerns are raised by the very people closest to an issue, the least we can do is give them the courtesy of a clear response.”
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Originally published as Greens accuse government of ‘cooking up’ salmon crisis for new antibiotic approval
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