We believe Australian farm workers and wildlife deserve the same level of protection as those in Europe and the United States.
But unlike other countries, dangerous chemicals remain available for use in Australia, in perpetuity, until our regulator proves they are unsafe.
WWF wants Australia's pesticide regulator to take a safer approach and give the benefit of the doubt to human health and the environment, not to the pesticides industry. We want new laws to shift the burden of proof to where it belongs - on pesticide manufacturers.
Australia's current system relies on a slow and ad hoc chemical review process, which is failing to address even known risks posed by existing chemicals.
About 75% of the pesticides approved for use in Australia were moved into our current system 15 years ago, as a legacy, without a modern safety assessment. Some were first registered as far back as the 1950s.
Facts about pesticides:
- More than 80 of the pesticides registered in Australia are no longer authorised in Europe
- At least 17 pesticides registered for use in Australian agriculture are suspected carcinogens, and 48 are potential hormone disruptors
- 8 chemicals with known safety risks have been under review by our regulator for more than 13 years, some for more than 15 years
- Over 40 chemicals have been nominated for review because of concerns about their safety
Australia's chemical review process simply has not been able to keep up with the task of addressing risks to human health and the environment.
Join us! Stand up for safer pesticide laws
In partnership with CHOICE and the National Toxics Network, we have written a Declaration for safer Australian pesticide laws (see below).
Join more than 50 organisations and individuals that have already signed, including doctors, scientists, celebrity chefs, former politicians, television personalities and representatives from conservation groups, the Public Health Association of Australia, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, Biological Farmers of Australia, the Environmental Justice Society, the Australia Institute, the Centre for Policy Development and more!
Since 2007, WWF has been campaigning to raise awareness, partner with industry and engage constructively with government to cut pollution of the Great Barrier Reef. Incentives to change to sustainable farming practices are being offered and alternative practices are being adopted, change is happening, but the rate of change needs to be faster and more widespread.
"WWF believe Australian farm workers and wildlife deserve the same level of protection as those in Europe and the United States."
Nearly 1/3 of the Great Barrier Reef is now exposed to herbicides
