Chemical Derogations - Simazine
Background
In the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council criterion 6.6 deals with chemical use. Under criterion 6.6 the onus is on the certified forest or plantation to strive to avoid the use of chemicals or, where this is not possible to use chemicals safely.
FSC have also identified a list of specific chemicals that cannot be used unless there is shown to be no viable alternative, in which case a temporary derogation may be granted.* If granted the derogation will detail specific conditions, that will apply to the use of the chemical, to mitigate negative impacts to the environment, health and safety. Derogations are considered to be temporary and during the period of the derogation the certified forest or plantation owner must actively look for options to reduce, remove or replace the derogated chemical.
An important part of the process is that stakeholders have an opportunity to comment on the derogations.
FSC Australia has set up an expert committee, the Pesticides Policy Advisory Group (PPAG) made up of pesticide scientists nominated by each of the 3 chambers that make up FSC Australia.
The derogation for Simazine has been approved by FSC International on an interim basis for 1 year. During that time the intent is for the derogation to be reviewed by the Pesticides Policy Advisory Group and a recommendation made to the FSC Board regarding the possible extensions of the derogation for the full 5 year period.
Although not strictly required the applicants have requested that there is an additional 45 day consultation period to collect submissions to the PPAG to help with their considerations in this matter.
FSC Australia calls for submissions on the derogation of the chemical Simazine by Monday 12 November.
Contact details for comments – Please mark all correspondence “comments on Derogation applications”
GPO Box 152
Melbourne
Vic, 3001
Australia
Phone: +61 3 8636 2661
Fax: +61 3 8636 2674
Email: info@fscaustralia.org
* See FSC Pesticides Policy Guidance documents
FSC-GUI-30-001 V2-0 EN FSC Pesticides Policy Guidance (2007)
and
FSC-GUI-30-001a V1-0 EN_Approved derogations for use of pesticides (Updated Sept. 2007)
Original derogation application for Simazine
Click here (58 kb)
FSC Temporary Derogation approval noticeClick Here (27 kb)
