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Assistance to dioxin sufferers better late than never - Greens

Wednesday 28 March 2007, 10:12AM

By Infonews Editor

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PALMERSTON NORTH

The Green Party today welcomed the news that the Government has finally agreed to offer health support to dioxin sufferers in New Plymouth.

“After decades of denial, it’s great that the Government has finally acknowledged the extent to which local Paritutu residents have been contaminated with dioxin, and offered some limited compensation and assistance with their ongoing health problems,” Green Party Health Spokesperson Ms Kedgley says.

“It comes very belatedly - residents and the Green Party have been calling for assistance and free healthcare for affected residents for the past six years. Yet it is better late than never.”

“I am pleased that all Paritutu residents will be offered a health assessment, and free annual follow-up visits. However, residents also need free specialist services, as many have a range of health problems that need specialist assistance, not just annual check-ups.

“It is essential that the health services package is offered to the children and families of affected residents,” Ms Kedgley says.

“All residents need to be offered inter-generational testing to ensure there has not been DNA damage as a result of their dioxin exposure. All former Dow employees who suffer health effects as a consequence of their work must also be offered accident compensation.

“The Green Party wants to see a national register of current and former Patitutu residents with symptoms of dioxin poisoning established, and ongoing research as well as health assistance carried out.

“We would also like to see Ivon Watkins Dow, the company that caused the dioxin contamination in the first instance, pay for the health services of affected residents, rather than the taxpayer. It is the basic principle of polluter pays –otherwise it sets an unfortunate precedent that a company can come to New Zealand, pollute our environment and poison our people, and get away scot-free,” Ms Kedgley says.