Mobilise. Resist. Transform.
Friends of the Earth Brisbane
  • Home
  • What we do
    • News and Media
    • coal and csg
    • climate frontlines
    • peace and anti-nuclear
  • Who we are
    • Our Vision
    • How we Operate
    • History
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Upcoming Events
    • Shop (FoE International)
  • Resources
    • Publications
    • Groundswell Zine
    • Activist Blog
  • Contact

Australian government approves nuclear irradiation of tomatoes

20/3/2013

0 Comments

 
The irradiation of tomatoes & capsicums (bell peppers) has been approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today.

In Australia, all irradiation is done with nuclear material.

Now, A1069 (the application for the irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums) only requires rubber-stamping from the Ministerial Council.  Each state has at least one STATE MP on the Council.  Let your local member know that you say NO!!!   
 
Media: Robin Taubenfeld 0411118737
 
Ministerial contact details and a sample letter is below.
 
Our original submission opposing the irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums is a great read! It can be downloaded here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/212241255452651/516081061735334/

Ministerial contact details and a sample letter is below:
 
RE: APPROVAL OF IRRADIATION OF TOMATOES & CAPSICUMS (A1069)Dear Member of the Australia New Zealand Food Ministerial Council,

On March 19, Food Standards Australia New Zealand announced its approval of Application A1069, for the irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums. 

As a member of the Ministerial Council you have final decision making power over this approval.   I call on you to reject this application as the irradiation of these popular foods is not in the public interest. 
  
The irradiation of food has not been proven safe.  I am extremely concerned that FSANZ continues to ignore scientific evidence highlighting the problems with irradiation, including vitamin depletion and the production of radiolytic products – chemicals formed in food when it is exposed to radiation, such as benzene, formaldehyde and cyclobutanones.

In 2009, the irradiation of cat food was outlawed in Australia after up to 100 cats developed neurological disorders after consuming irradiated cat food.  There is no science proving this effect to be species specific, however, the irradiation of food for human consumption is still permitted in Australia and New Zealand.

Furthermore, while I applaud the government for its decision to phase out the uses of some pesticides, I vehemently oppose the promotion of irradiation as the “alternative”.  Numerous alternatives exist, including other chemical treatments, physical disinfestation, creation of pest-free zones and organic production. 

I also am alarmed that FSANZ appears to function as a defacto promoter of irradiation, rather than a judicious adjudicator on the matter.  FSANZ continues to ignore scientific modelling and consumer information that challenges its pro-irradiation stance.  
 
As a member of the Ministerial Council, you have responsibility to ensure safe and healthy food for our community and to prioritise that over food corporation interests. 

The irradiation of tomatoes and capsicums poses a risk to our community and is not in the public interest. A1069 must be rejected.

I look forward to hearing your response to my concerns,

Yours faithfully,
Name
Australian Government:

Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Health and Ageing 
150 Broadway, Chippendale NSW  2008 [email protected]

The Hon Catherine King, MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
PO Box 6022, House of Representatives
Parliament House Canberra  ACT 2600
[email protected]

Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 2477, Brisbane QLD 4001 [email protected]

New Zealand:
The Hon Nikki Kaye. MP,Minister for Food Safety
P.O. Box 47-658,Ponsonby
Auckland 1144  New Zealand
[email protected]
Australian State & Territory Reps

QLD
Lead Minister: The Hon Lawrence Springborg, MP
Minister for Health 
GPO Box 48, Brisbane QLD 4001
[email protected]

The Hon John McVeigh MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 46, Brisbane QLD 4001
[email protected]

NSW

Lead Minister: Ms Katrina Hodgkinson, MP 
Minister for Primary Industries     
Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 [email protected]

Mrs Jillian Skinner, MP, Minister for Health
Level 31 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 
[email protected]

NT
The Hon David Tollner, MLA, Minister for Health
GPO Box 3146 Darwin NT 0801
Email: [email protected]

VIC
Lead Minister: The Hon David Davis, MLC
Minister for Health
Shop 4, 976 Riversdale Rd., Surrey Hills VIC 3127
[email protected]

The Hon Peter Walsh, MP 
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security
Level 20,1 Spring Street, Melbourne  VIC 3000
[email protected]

WA
Lead Minister: The Hon Dr Kim Hames, MB BS JP MLA, Minister for Health 
PO Box 5551 Falcon WA  6210
[email protected]

The Hon Terry Redman, MLA
Minister for Agriculture and Food
11th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005
[email protected]

TAS
Lead Minister:  The Hon Michelle O'Byrne, MP
Minister for Health 
GPO Box 1470, Hobart TAS 7000
Michelle.O'[email protected]

ACT
Ms Katy Gallagher, MLA
Minister for Health 
GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601 
[email protected]

SA 
Lead Minister: The Hon Jack Snelling, MP
Minister for Health and Ageing 
GPO Box 2555 Adelaide SA 5001
Email:     [email protected]

The Hon Gail Gago, MLC
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
GPO Box 464 Adelaide SA 5001
Email:     [email protected]

Australian Local Government Association:
Councillor Bill McArthur
Golden Plains Shire
President of the Municipal Association of Victoria
PO Box 111,Bannockburn VIC 3331
0 Comments

NGOs release alternative report to Uranium Implementation Committee

18/3/2013

0 Comments

 
Friends of the Earth, in conjunction with the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Electrical Trades Union, North Queensland Conservation Council, Queensland Conservation Council and Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance have released a report damning the LNPs push for uranium mining in our state.
Picture
High Risk – Low Returns: the case against uranium mining in Queensland is the NGO and civil society response to the LNPs undemocratic decision to go ahead with uranium mining in our state.

Read the report [here]

Why should Queensland forego the economic benefits of uranium mining when some other states permit uranium mines? In a nutshell, it is because the economic benefits are grossly overstated and are outweighed by the wide-ranging environmental, public health and weapons proliferation problems and risks.

Uranium accounted for 0.19 per cent of Australia’s export revenue in 2011/12 (the last available figures). By the most generous estimate, uranium accounts for 0.015% of all jobs in Australia. For Queensland, there is the additional limitation that the state has around just 2% of Australia’s uranium resources. Clearly, the industry has no capacity to deliver significant economic or employment benefits.

0 Comments

Lock the Gate Call to Country

7/3/2013

0 Comments

 
Lock the Gate Alliance have launched our Call to Country. It's a call from the heart of this country, and the people who love it, to demand real action to restrict inappropriate coal and gas mining. 
Picture
Our new mapping shows that 437 million hectares of our land is covered by coal and gas licences or applications. That's more than half of Australia and an area 18 times the size of Great Britain. Even our greatest international tourist icons are not safe, with at least 11 of our 16 National Landscapes at threat.

 Today, our Call to Country will be plastered to the window or pinned to the door of almost every Federal electorate in Australia. But this is just the beginning.

 Over the next month, we're asking you to take Our Call To Country and meet with your Federal Member of Parliament. Our Federal politicians have shirked their responsibilities for too long - but they have the power to act and now they need to use it. Don't just stop with your Federal MPs. Keep on taking the Call to Country everywhere it needs to go - pin it to the doors of churches, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, and the offices of federal election candidates. Share it with your friends and families, your colleagues and your social and sporting clubs.

http://www.lockthegate.org.au/calltocountry

0 Comments

    news and media.

    signup for enews >>

    categories.

    All
    Biodiversity
    Climate Change
    Climate Frontlines
    Coal And Csg
    Corporations
    Food
    Food Irradiation
    Forests
    Great Barrier Reef
    Media Releases
    National
    Nuclear And Uranium
    Peace
    Pollution
    Renewable Energy
    Research And Reports

    SEE FOEB NEWS APPEARANCES

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    December 2009
    August 2009


What We Do
News and Media
Coal and Climate
Climate Frontlines
Peace and Clean Energy

Who We Are
Our Vision
How we Operate
History

Get Involved
Volunteer

Donate
Become a Member
Upcoming Events
Shop
Resources
Research and Publications
Groundswell Magazine
Activist Blog
Contact

brisbane.foe.org.au
Friends of the Earth Brisbane 
Ph: 07 3171 2255 | Fax: 07 3171 2255
PO Box 8227 Woolloongabba Qld 4102
[email protected] | ABN: 13 465 767 789
Contact Details | Privacy Policy