Most Australians wouldn’t think twice about throwing a ‘shrimp on the barbie’ with their mates… This Aussie tradition is an iconic custom often used in homely backyards, picturesque riverside parks, and outdoor locations throughout the year.

However, how many Aussies sit around holding a glass of white wine or a beer mulling over whether or not their prawn cocktail or prawn satay skewer contains neonicotinoids?

To throw on the barbie, or not? That is the question…

Maxine Rowley’s damning report, Identifying pesticides in Hearnes Lake catchment waterways, published on November 23, 2022, contains alarming evidence that suggests neonicotinoids may have been found in local prawn flesh on the Mid North Coast. If true, this is surely going to have the Aussie backyard BBQ conversation shifting from one of ease and belly laughs to one of horror, eyebrow raising, and concern.

What is a neonicotinoid?

Neonicotinoids are a class of a neuro-active group of chemicals used to control ‘harmful’ insects, developed by scientists during the 1980s.

In April 2018, the European Union decided to ban all outdoor use of three active ingredients found in neonicotinoids.

The CSIRO states on their website:

‘There is a rapidly growing number of publications reporting effects on bees and other insects. Worryingly, effects are also being displayed in birds, bats, aquatic organisms, and related ecosystem services. In response to these concerns, a group of 232 scientists published an open letter to policy makers in the journal Science, calling on other countries around the world to also restrict the use of neonicotinoids.’

Gee whizz! Struth! Why is this chemical potentially finding its way into prawns?

Farmers in Australia still use this common insecticide on a wide range of crops including cotton, canola, cereals, sunflower, potato, vegetable crops, and fruit.

Because they contain neurotoxins, they are highly poisonous to insects. One has to question: if this chemical can kill insects, what is it doing to other species, including humans? More importantly, who is regulating when this chemical is being sprayed, what buffers are in place to stop it getting into waterways, and who is responsible for damage it causes? What council regulations and frameworks are in place to protect people, nature, and wildlife? And, who is regulating and enforcing correct use, disposal, and management of such a highly toxic chemical?

Rowley’s report claims that the level of neonicotinoids found in the local water, prawn, and oyster population within the Solitary Islands Marine Park are over the ‘safe residue limits’.

Aside from the clear environmental impact, pesticide pollution of Hearnes Lake also presented a potential Public Health risk to community members who use the waterbody for swimming, fishing, boating and anyone eating seafood sourced from Hearnes Lake.

The significant loads of pollution entering Hearnes Lake waterways is damming evidence of failure of will or capacity of the responsible authorities, and the relevant agricultural industries, to act decisively to protect this section of the SIMP and its irreplaceable environment and community values from pesticide pollution.

Well, there’s a conversation starter … or ender, depending on your stance on environmental pollution and consuming neurotoxins for dinner.

Rowley’s report goes on to explain what happens when authorities and regulatory bodies fail to act sufficiently to manage, regulate, and monitor chemical use in the agriculture industry.

In the year 2024, where politicians bang on about ‘climate emergency’ and ‘climate crisis’, surely the Hearnes Lake report was presented to the Prime Minister.

Claims of this magnitude regarding the impact of chemical pollution is ringing as loud as 10 fire engines during a hot Aussie summer.

It gets worse. Rowley continues:

A total of twelve different pesticides were detected during this project. Most of the chemicals detected are highly toxic to a variety of aquatic organisms and some and highly toxic to humans and animals. Two are suspected of causing cancer. Seven are included in the National Toxic Network list of Australia’s most dangerous pesticides. Six are currently under review or proposed to be reviewed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Eight of them are NOT approved for use in the EU and one of them has been illegal to supply or use in Australia since 2006.

Time to reach for that vino (certified organic, of course). It’s clear that Australia is backward and in the Stone Age when it comes to environmentally-friendly farm management.

If this can happen to the community and environment in Hearnes Lake, then where else in Australia are chemicals being used without care, accountability, responsibility, consideration and proper management?

It is time that the EPA, APVMA, and Australian government unite with a positive solution to either ban, reduce, or remove such chemicals from use in Australia. Or else those humble Aussie BBQ conversations regarding whether or not their prawn cocktail is safe to eat, will turn to anger, protest, and demands of urgent action.