Final minutes of the 6th and 7th meeting of the CHaIRS group
WHAT DID WE ASK?
I am seeking the final minutes of the 6th and 7th meeting of the Chemical Hazards and Identification Risk Surveiilance group (CHaIRS). I am particularly interested in whether the minutes contain reference to “The Rhodia incident” white phosphorus poisoning of wildfowl at Rattlechain Mere(lagoon) refered to in 3 previous CHaIRS meetings, and the subsequent positive test carried out on a Canada Goose earlier in the year and subsequent statement by the VLA that the incident “confirms white phosphorus release is
occuring from the site”.
Have the CHaIRS group been updated on this issue and that 2 further birds are awaiting testing for white phosphorus (mallard and coot) after inconclusive post mortems by the VLA? Other dead birds including a great crested grebe and tufted duck were not collected by Rhodia for post mortem analysis despite being informed.”
WHY DID WE ASK THIS?
A fairly straightforward request for these minutes which were not publicly available by other means.
WHAT DID THEY KNOW?
The response was sent to the wrong request thread on whatdotheyknow, but can be read here.
The letter confirmed that no record of the rattlechain site had been made in the sixth meeting previously supplied in draft form. The seventh meeting had also been postponed.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
We followed this up with a further request, to obtain minutes for the seventh meeting.