Benomyl residues detected in Victorian water, CropLife says no health risk
Trace amounts of the fungicide benomyl have been identified in water supplies across northern Victoria, with 141 detections reported by Friends of the Earth through freedom‑of‑information requests to state water authorities. Benomyl was banned in Australia in 2006, but it rapidly degrades into the related compound carbendazim, which remains approved for limited use on pulse crops.
CropLife Australia chief executive Matthew Cossey said modern analytical methods now detect substances at concentrations far below any toxicological relevance. He noted that the average concentration found is about 0.03 % of the Australian Drinking Water Guideline, and even the highest reading is only a tiny fraction of the health‑based standard, concluding that the levels do not pose a human health concern. Friends of the Earth land‑use researcher Anthony Amis warned that the presence of a long‑banned chemical could indicate stockpiling or illicit access.
Both organisations agree that the data reassure consumers that drinking water remains safe, while highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
Entities: Anthony Amis · Benomyl · CropLife Australia · Friends of the Earth · Matthew Cossey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Benomyl was banned by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority in 2006. (APVMA regulation)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Benomyl breaks down quickly into the related fungicide carbendazim in the environment. (scientific observation)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Average benomyl concentration in the water samples is about 0.03 % of the Australian Drinking Water Guideline. (CropLife Australia statement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The highest reported benomyl concentration is a tiny fraction of the applicable health‑based standard. (CropLife Australia statement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] CropLife says the detected benomyl levels do not pose a human health concern. (CropLife Australia chief executive Matthew Cossey)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Friends of the Earth researcher Anthony Amis expressed concern that the presence of benomyl could indicate stockpiling or illicit access. (Friends of the Earth statement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Carbendazim remains approved for limited use on pulse crops in Australia. (APVMA approvals)
- [● 3 SOURCES] 141 detections of benomyl were reported in water supplies across northern Victoria. (Friends of the Earth data)