Spray Advisory

Tribunal Finds Pesticide Producers Violate Human Rights...

2011-12-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

Now, 27 years later, a self-appointed international court has delivered a scathing indictment of the pesticide industry. It found the world's largest pesticide producers guilty of “gross, widespread and systematic violations of the right to health and ...

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No second look on pesticide ban (Industry still pushing their old propaganda)

2011-11-11T05:13:00.001-08:00

9 Nov 2011

The Corner Brook Western Star

BY ANDREW ROBINSON

No second look on pesticide ban

ST. JOHN’S — The fact Minister of Environment and Conservation Terry French is new to the job was apparent Tuesday at the Atlantic Green Forum event hosted by Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s.

In the agenda, the time at which French was scheduled to speak was listed with the title, “Lunch with the Environment Minister Ross Wiseman.” French himself referenced his newness to the role in the opening remarks of his speech.

“Not to use a pun I’m sure you’ve all heard before, but I’m certainly green when it comes to the job,” he said to rounds of laughter.

But even though he may be new to the job, French is already hearing from parties interested in the government’s environmental policy, including Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador, a group vocally opposed to government’s pesticide ban. The ban, which comes into effect next year and was first announced in July, includes carbaryl, 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), mecoprop, dicamba, and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid). They are commonly used to kill or control garden weeds and insects.

French said government is not prepared to revisit its decision.

“Obviously I’ll sit down with the stakeholders and try to find alternate means, but the ban is here to stay,” he said.

Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador president Don Barry, owner of Servicemaster Lawn Care in St. John’s, said the decision to implement the ban was not made with adequate foresight.

“What it really means is it has eliminated the ability for industry to control some very serious pests,” he said. “Not necessarily weed control, but certainly when we get to damaging insects like chinch bugs and grub work and grub damage, that does cause quite a concern.”

Barry said there are no alternative means for adequately dealing with such matters, and he questions whether government made its decision based on science, noting Health Canada considers the banned substances safe to use.

He also cannot understand why the ban was not implemented for golf courses. Agricultural and forestry uses were also exempt from the ban by the province.

Preparing now for the ban, Barry said his own business will be challenged to handle insect control. He has researched vacuuming technology and a product that can handle weed problems, but he deems it to be expensive and less effective.

He expects lawn care businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador will take an economic hit as a result of the pesticide ban.

The Telegram

Terry French - House of Assembly - Newfoundland and Labrador
http://www.assembly.nl.ca/members/cms/memberdetail.asp?MemberID=20

2011 Atlantic Green Forum promotes “The Green City”
http://www.landscapenf.org/announcements.html

Toxic Herbicide Spraying of Newfoundland's Highways - Call in with your concerns!

2011-10-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please be advised that weather permitting Newfoundland and Labrador

Vegetation Control will commence an Herbicide Spray Program starting

October 3-31, 2011.

o Route 100 Argentia access Road to Trans Canada Highway

o Route 92 North Hr. Intersection to Branch

o Route 100 South of Pointe Verde to South of Ship Cove

The products that will be used in this spray program are

Tordon 101 Reg#9007

Garlon XRT, PCP # 28945

Any questions or concerns please contact NLVC Office @ (709) 673-5898,

8am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, or Fax us @ (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide

Control Section @ 1 800 563-6181.

How does this affect you?

Do you travel these stretches of road?

Do you live in the area?

Do you hunt, fish or pick berries?

If so, you will be exposed to toxic herbicides.

Newfoundland is NOT clean and beautiful.

Garlon XRT uses the active ingredient triclopyr it's manufacturer is DOW.
Triclopyr is a selective herbicide used to control woody plants (e.g. blackberries) and broad-leafed weeds. Triclopyr has a similar structure and acts in a similar way to 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T.

Environmental effects
Triclopyr is toxic to fish, but breaks down rapidly in water. It persists much longer in soil. Animals should be excluded from treated areas for at least 17 days.

Tordon 101 is refered to as Agent White and is highly toxic and persistent.
http://www.agentorangecanada.com/hcb.php

More on Toxic Tordon 101