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Australia

By VVAW

The alarming number of penguin deaths on Phillip Island could be due to Victorian Government-approved spraying of highly toxic herbicides, an MP said yesterday.

Hundreds of fairy penguins have died in recent weeks on the popular tourist resort island, southeast of Melbourne.

Mr Alan Brown said this might also explain the high level of infertility in Phillip Island koalas.

Mr Brown told Parliament late last week herbicides like the lethal 2,4,5-T had been sprayed in areas inhabited by Penguins and koalas. He said he understood the use of 2,4,5-T ended...after the local council protested strongly to the Conservation Minister...."

A not from VVAW correspondent in Australia, Graham Bell, adds that "They are worried because herbicides may ruin the local tourist industry." We could only wish they were as concerned about ruined vets.