New Zealand / Regional

Protest action against toxic fumigant dropped

16:00 pm on 12 February 2009

Planned protest action against the use of methyl bromide at Picton has been dropped, after the local port said it will make sure emissions of the toxic fumigant will be kept to a minimum.

Methyl bromide is due to be applied to logs for export within the next few days.

Port Marlborough has told log exporter Zindia it must meet a discharge standard to the air of no more than one part per million during fumigation.

The standard is five times more rigorous than required by the Environmental Risk Management Authority

Guardian of the Sounds lobby group chairman Pete Beech says the solution that eases some of the group's fears and is a good compromise.

He says, however, that anger in the community over the fumigant's use remains high.

Last week, port officials, the fumigation company Genera, two Picton councillors and representatives from opposition groups met to discuss the fumigation plans.

Previous public concern about the gas has led to logs from Port Marlborough being sent to the North Island for fumigation.

The controversial fumigant is being phased out around the world because it attacks the ozone layer and has been linked to serious illnesses in port workers.