Activists often advance unbalanced views of risks or benefits of pesticides, for  political or social influence, making rational action difficult to achieve.  A relevant case is that of the herbicide diuron, with potential for runoff to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).  In a recent review, the Australian environmental agency (DSEWPaC) concluded that low concentrations of diuron in the GBR lagoon (0.1-17 ng L-1) did not present an acute or a chronic risk, although during floods levels can reach levels of concern (0.1-1 �g L-1) near ocean outfalls.  DSEWPaC was more concerned about risks from runoff to algae and aquatic plants in primary and secondary streams. As a result, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority suspended the registration of diuron products nationwide.  This presentation will discuss the responses from registrants, government agencies, farmers' organisations and environmentalists.  However, following an interactive process a rational regulatory approach might be emerging.

Achieving rational regulatory action for the management of risk from diuron in catchments with outfalls to the Great Barrier Reef

244th National Meeting (2012)

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