Australia is amidst a wildlife health crisis of an unprecedented scale.
Since the industrial revolution, a vast array of synthetic chemicals has been manufactured for a wide variety of uses by humans, including supporting increased agricultural production; industrial compounds; and pharmaceuticals for humans and other animals. However, the sometimes-disastrous impacts on the health of exposed biota and productivity of exposed ecosystems are seemingly being largely overlooked.
Emerging animal health syndromes being linked to exposures to environmental toxins include gender change and population decline in fish; amphibian disease and deformity; honey bee disease and decline; reproductive and developmental dysfunction in birds; and loss of coral to name a few.
Exposure to toxins is happening in the absence of any robust monitoring programs. Traditional toxicological regulatory assessment methodologies continue to utilise flawed methodologies, With a focus on the aquatic realm, Matt discusses the need for a new enthusiasm by research funding providers to address these issues directly.
Regulatory reform for industrial, veterinary, human pharmaceutical and agricultural chemicals in countries such as Denmark is comparatively well progressed.
If Australia is to preserve its rich, diverse and unique fauna, action must be taken as a matter of urgency.
Watch the online presentation or for more information see the attached flyer. A copy of the slides are available here (8MB)