Gordon Copeland Press Release For Immediate Release

Monday, 30th June 2008

Does 1080 pose a risk to the health of unborn children?

Independent MP and Kiwi Party member Gordon Copeland remains deeply concerned at the possible risks to human health arising from the continued aerial application of 1080 poison.

He was responding to the report that Danielle Yealands of Karamea has been advised by Nelson District Health Board midwife Carol Craven to leave the area because of the possible risk to her pregnancy arising from the aerial poison drop which is planned to start tomorrow. That drop will cover approximately 30,000 hectares of forest.

"This is by no means the first time that a possible link between 1080 and human reproduction, including pregnancy, has been brought to my attention."

"For example, a general practitioner was concerned enough about that risk to go public in the documentary 'A Shadow of Doubt' which has been broadcast on Maori Television," said Mr Copeland.

"In that documentary the doctor was particularly concerned about the consequences for Maori reproductive health via watercress."

"Contrary to some media reports in the last couple of days, the Environmental Risk Management Agency did not, following last year's reassessment, give the 'all clear' to 1080. On the contrary they concluded that the continued use of this deadly poison in New Zealand is a 'necessary evil'."

"Let's be clear about the matter. 1080 is a 'deadly poison'. It is 'acutely toxic' and 'may be fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin'. 'Repeated oral exposure may cause reproductive or developmental damage'. All of this is clearly set out on the labelling, including the specific instruction 'keep out of any body of water'."

"Given these simple realities, I have come very firmly to the view that a precautionary approach demands that we ban outright the continued aerial application of 1080 anywhere in New Zealand."

ENDS

© Scoop Media