Florfenicol - salmon state capture reaches new depths

Salmon state capture reaches new depths: with today's EPA approval of the highly-contentious antibiotic, florfenicol, the regulator and the Government fail Tasmania yet again.

With another hot summer and even warmer waters, Tasmanians can expect to swim, fish and snorkel in a sea of antibiotics. We already have native fish with up to five times the accepted level of antibiotics, and now the industry has been handed a new weapon—florfenicol— in their increasing use of antibiotics to combat the tonnes of sick and diseased salmon.

The World Health Organisation fears antibiotic-resistance will be the biggest threat to human health in the future. "In their devotion to foreign-owned multi-nationals, this government and the EPA seem to have ignored such warnings," says Lisa Litjens, Vice President of NOFF. "Short-term profits and a small number of jobs clearly matter more to them."

"Tasmanians should be warned of the dangers of their children swimming in our waters, and of eating our local fish," says Alan Kemp, NOFF Committee. "Tasmanians expect better. It's high time we talked about regenerative aquaculture as an alternative to this polluting industry. Plenty of jobs and no antibiotics."

Lilly Henly, NOFF Campaigner, said "A state where you have to check the EPA website or news outlets before you go fishing to see whether antibiotics are lingering in wild fish and marine environments, is that the kind of place Tasmania is going to be?"

Comments attributable to:

• Lisa Litjens, 0400 461624
• Alan Kemp, 0480 231132
• Lilly Henley, 0429 084 434