Ratification of the Minamata Convention: RIS
Sector
Agricultural chemicals
Crematoria
Non-government organisations
Consultation summary Government response/comments
Support Australia ratifying the Minamata Convention and recognise the risks mercury poses to The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary
human health and the environment, even at low concentrations. Historically encouraged the Medicines Authority has cancelled the
government to seek an exemption for Shirtan, a mercury-containing fungicide used on registration of Shirtan. From June 2021,
sugarcane. Shirtan will no longer be used in Australia.
Canegrowers revised its position in 2017, indicating a new preference to phase-out Shirtan in The RIS has been updated to reflect this
2020. development.
The National Farmers Federation confirmed (2020) that given the recent cancelled
registration of Shirtan, there will be no impacts to the sector from ratification and an
exemption will no longer need to be sought.
Support Australia’s ratification of the Minamata Convention. There are no specific measures relating to
One industry submission went further to request the Australian Government act to minimise emissions from crematoria under the
the use and emission of mercury from all sources and apply Article 8(5) requirements to Convention. The department is not
crematoria. considering additional measures on this
industry as part of the ratification process.
Note the use of mercury-based amalgams in dentistry will reduce over time, ultimately
reducing mercury emissions from cremators. One industry submission contradicted this by
stating that the total contribution of the cremation industry to atmospheric pollution (not just
mercury) is increasingly significant due to Australia’s ageing population.
Support Australia’s ratification of the Minamata Convention and advise affected sectors have Noted.
had sufficient time to prepare for any changes required by ratification, and should not require
tax-payer funded incentives to reduce their pollution.
Advised the exposure draft RIS (2016) was not sufficiently ambitious to address the bulk of
mercury emissions and releases occurring in Australia.
Adequate funding from governments is required to ensure sufficient monitoring, regulation Monitoring and reporting is conducted
and reporting to the community. nationally under the auspices of the National
Environment Protection (National Pollutant
Inventory) Measure 1998.
The Australian Government will continue
working with states and territories to
consider this comment.
Consider the cost impact of mercury in the exposure draft RIS (2016) was underestimated. Reviewed these comments and revisited the
calculation.
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