Business
European Union lowers allowable cadmium level in imported rock phosphate to 60 parts per million
European Union lowers allowable cadmium level in imported rock phosphate to 60 parts per m...
About this update from Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nEuropean Union lowers allowable cadmium level in imported rock phosphate to 60 parts per million\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nWELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 30, 2017\n\n\n\nWELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (TSXV: \"NZP\" and NZAX: \"CRP\" or the \"Company\") wishes to advise shareholders of a significant development in Europe that has direct relevance to the marketability of our rock phosphate, due to its extremely low levels of cadmium. \n\nThe European Parliament has just voted to back a European Commission proposal to cut the level of cadmium permitted in fertilisers to 20 mg per kilogramme.\n\nThe EU executive proposed the limit be set at 60mg/kg, falling to 40mg after three years and 20mg after 12 years under planned rules for fertilisers carrying the CE mark. It was agreed that producers need longer transition periods before the introduction of the lower limits.\n\nThese limits are significantly lower than the voluntary limit of 280 parts per million imposed in New Zealand.\n\nThe European Environmental Bureau, a 140-strong network of organisations,  welcomed the outcome of the vote, noting \"farming remains the last major bastion of cadmium exposure\".\n\nCadmium is a carcinogen and also linked to osteoporosis, kidney failure, heart disease, and fertility problems, said Faustine Bas-Defossez, in charge of agriculture policy at EEB. \"Around 910,000 adults in France alone exceed tolerable intake limits of cadmium by 90%,\" she said.\n\nThe reduced cadmium limits will affect a significant proportion of traded rock phosphate including rock sourced from Egypt, Israel, Boucraa & Youssoufia (Western Sahara/Morocco), Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Nauru and Christmas Island. \n\nAccording to Chatham Rock Phosphate managing director Chris Castle \"rock from these sources will not be able to be sold in Europe unless the existing high levels of cadmium have been removed. Even if this is possible it will add another layer of costs.  \n\n\"The good news is that cadmium levels in C...