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Australia's tea tree oil industry is facing a high-stakes threat from the European Union which could dismantle its $40 million export market.

The EU is considering legislation to reclassify the essential oil as a Category 1B reproductive toxin.

It suspects tea tree oil could interfere with fertility.

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.

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[-] SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 4 points 1 month ago

Sucks for the farmers but if it is a reproductive toxin that should be taken into account in its distribution.

[-] arbilp3@aussie.zone 1 points 1 month ago

The problem with this threat to our tt farmers is that it is based on giving lab rats a large amount of tea tree oil to drink if you read the article! People do not drink tea tree so the basis for the risk seen by the EU is very dubious.

[-] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 4 points 1 month ago

Sounds like a positive to me. Get that shit to America.

[-] arbilp3@aussie.zone 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

And, really not a helpful comment re America. Many, many Americans are dismayed by what their government is doing. We also have plenty of deluded people here.

[-] arbilp3@aussie.zone 3 points 1 month ago

Not so funny for the farmers.

[-] GalacticGrapefruit@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

But but but but...

It'S aLl-NaTuRaL! It'S oRgAnIc! It can't pOsSiBlY be toxic! 🥺🥺🥺

[-] arbilp3@aussie.zone 1 points 1 month ago

The problem with this threat to our tt farmers is that it is based on giving lab rats a large amount of tea tree oil to drink if you red the article! People do not drink tea tree so the basis for the risk seen by the EU is ridiculous. Tea Tree oil is brilliant and has been used for thousands of years by Aboriginal people, let alone the rest of us in it essential oil form.

this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2026
14 points (100.0% liked)

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