State Government slaps lead export ban on Esperance Port

The Department of Environment and Conservation has served a Section 73A Prevention Notice on the Esperance Port Authority to prevent it receiving and shipping lead carbonate.

DEC Deputy Director General Kim Taylor said the notice was issued today under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

"The service of the Section 73A notice means that the movement of lead through the port can only recommence if DEC decides it is safe to do so," he said.

"While the port voluntarily stopped its shipments of lead carbonate Monday, DEC has decided to take preventative measures while this matter is being investigated.

DEC will also be reviewing the port's licence and facilities in conjunction with the Esperance Port Authority.

DEC investigation and sampling teams are in Esperance this week to carry out further investigations on the bird deaths to determine any potential causes of death of these birds.

There have been 187 bird deaths reported in the town site over the past week - the birds most affected were purple-crowned lorikeets. The birds were found in the same areas as the first bird deaths in December and January.