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<\/p>\nAustralia’s tea tree oil industry is facing a high-stakes threat from the European Union which could dismantle its $40 million export market.<\/p>\n
The EU is considering legislation to reclassify the essential oil as a Category 1B reproductive toxin.<\/p>\n
It suspects tea tree oil could interfere with fertility.<\/p>\n
If the reclassification goes ahead industry leaders say it would effectively end the product’s viability in the European market and potentially trigger a global collapse in demand for Australian tea tree oil.<\/p>\n
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Across northern NSW there are just under 5,000 hectares of commercial plantations of farmed tea trees.\u00a0 (ABC Landline: Cameron Lang)<\/p>\n
The families who have farmed these native trees in northern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland for generations said it could destroy their livelihoods.<\/p>\n
Dee-Ann Seccombe, CEO of DownUnder Enterprises and a third-generation producer, said the industry was well known and safe.<\/p>\n
“Tea tree has had probably, along with lavender oil, the most published scientific papers, peer reviewed, globally on the therapeutic properties of tea tree oil,” Ms Seccombe said.<\/p>\n
“So tea tree is best known for its use in acne products, but it’s also great in medicinal care, wound care, people use it for home cleaning [and] pet care.”<\/p>\n
A question of dosage<\/p>\n
The reclassification threat arose after a study to test tea tree oil’s safety for use as an agricultural pesticide force-fed rats large quantities of the oil.<\/p>\n
Ms Seccombe said the industry has a major issue with the methodology of trials in the study as tea tree oil should only be used in topical application and not ingested.<\/p>\n
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Ms Seccombe is concerned about the impact the EU decision will have on the Australian tea tree industry. (ABC Landline: Cameron Lang)<\/p>\n
“The rats were force-fed raw tea tree oil in massive quantities that would never be done because we don’t drink tea tree, and particularly in the quantities that those rats were given,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Quite frankly, it’s amazing the rats lived. But in the male rats there were some reproductive issues. So of course the industry has an issue with that because of the way tea tree was administered in the quantity it was administered.”<\/p>\n
Ms Seccombe said the fallout is already clear.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, the EU has taken a negative view of tea tree oil. It has taken the view that it is a reproductive toxin,” she said<\/p>\n
A shift in regulatory philosophy<\/p>\n
The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA) argues the EU is prioritising “hazard” over “risk”.<\/p>\n
Tim Valentiner, who is spearheading ATTIA’s efforts globally, said the European approach is significantly different to other major markets like the United States.<\/p>\n
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Mr Valentiner is confident with more targeted research there will be a path forward for the future. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
“The EU has become different in that they have adopted a much more, much higher bar in pursuing hazard classification versus risk based classification.” Mr Valentiner said.<\/p>\n
He warns the resulting labelling change in the EU would effectively kill consumer demand.<\/p>\n
“The labels are extreme, meaning that they are listed as a reproductive toxicant,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Until this classification is changed \u2014 or able to be changed \u2014 then the labels that have to be put onto the products are such that no-one’s going to want to buy them. It seems to be overreach.”<\/p>\n
The global domino effect on Australian exports<\/p>\n
The EU represents approximately 30 per cent of the Australian tea tree export market.<\/p>\n
However, the industry’s concern extends beyond the loss of European shelves.<\/p>\n
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Tea tree is highly sought after for its anti-fungal properties for skin and wound care as well as pet and cleaning products. (ABC Landline: Cameron Lang)<\/p>\n
Ms Seccombe warned that if the legislation passes, tea tree oil would need to come off markets in the EU within 18 months.<\/p>\n
“No tea tree oil can be sold within the EU, but unfortunately, it’s also going to have global impact because there are other countries that will look at what the EU are now saying and then say, ‘Well, if the EU deems that to be unsafe, then it must be unsafe’,” she said.<\/p>\n
For an industry that exports 90 per cent of its production, the loss of major international markets would be devastating for regional communities where tea tree farming is a primary economic driver.<\/p>\n
The road map to reclassification<\/p>\n
The industry is now looking toward scientific studies to prove the oil’s safety in human applications.<\/p>\n
Mr Valentiner believes there is a path forward through more targeted research.<\/p>\n
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Traditional plant breeding means picking the best plants, crossing them, and choosing the best offspring.\u00a0 (ABC Landline: Cameron Lang)<\/p>\n
“By doing human studies, we’ll be able to understand exactly how tea tree is interacting with the body through more regular dermal exposure and application for how products are used,” he said.<\/p>\n
“By doing this road map and conducting these studies, it will allow industry to be able to work with a member state of the EU to submit another dossier requesting a reclassification that would be more appropriate.”<\/p>\n
For families like the Seccombes, the toll is already immense.<\/p>\n
Ms Seccombe said the emotional weight of the fight was difficult to carry.<\/p>\n
“I have to say when the results of the (EU) meeting (to pursue reclassification) came out, it was gut-wrenching.”<\/p>\n
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Valued between $30-$40 million annually, about 90 per cent of Australia’s tea tree oil is exported. (ABC Landline: Cameron Lang)<\/p>\n
“I mean, you wake up in the morning, and you just go, how did this happen?”<\/p>\n
It’s not known when the EU will make a decision on the legislation.<\/p>\n