Urgent Debates Declined — Dioxin Release, Ivon Watkins-Dow—Report

I have received a letter from Sue Kedgley seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 recent developments in the ongoing health impacts of dioxin released from the Ivon Watkins-Dow plant at Paritutu in New Plymouth. The recent developments involve the Leonard report commissioned by TV3. This does not involve ministerial responsibility. The Ministry of Health has said it will look into claims that significant mistakes were made in the study of dioxin contamination in New Plymouth. The ministry’s comments relate to events that are likely to occur. There is, therefore, no particular case of recent occurrence involving administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government that would give grounds for a debate on this matter today. The application is declined.