NSW Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan is calling for a practical, evidence-based approach to proposed workplace exposure limits for phosphine; an essential tool used by grain growers and the storage industry to protect stored grain from insect pests and maintain grain quality.
From December 1 this year, the workplace exposure limit for phosphine is scheduled to reduce by more than 80 per cent – from 0.3 parts per million (ppm) to 0.05 ppm, following a decision by SafeWork Australia.
Mr Moylan said we have heard from industry that worker safety objectives must be achieved without creating unworkable requirements that cannot be practically implemented across the grain supply chain.
“Phosphine is one of the most important tools available to protect Australia’s grain from insect pests, and we need workplace safety rules that protect workers without creating impractical requirements for farmers and grain handlers.
“Worker safety must come first, but regulation also needs to recognise how phosphine is used in grain storage and fumigation.
“We need clear, workable rules based on sound science, appropriate monitoring and practical risk controls, not one-size-fits-all regulation that makes it harder to safely protect grain.”
“I’m calling on the Minns Labor Government to work with the grain industry and Safe Work Australia to ensure the new exposure limits are practical, achievable and properly informed by the realities of grain storage,” Mr Moylan said.
“Our farmers need access to effective tools to protect the quality of their grain. We should be making that safer and easier, not putting unnecessary obstacles in their way.”
