Higher standards for fruit, vegetable pesticides urged - Committee warns of children's vulnerability because of large numbers of chemicals used

Canada moves to protect its children... 

 

 

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[ MEMORIAL TO VICTIMS ]

Subject:   Higher Standards For "Registered" POISONS Urged-----
Date:       Wed, 17 May 2000 14:30:04 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I thought you might like to read an article entitled: Higher standards for fruit, vegetable pesticides urged - Committee warns of children's vulnerability because of large numbers of chemicals used.  By ANNE McILROY, Parliamentary Bureau Chief, dated Wednesday, May 17, 2000.

Ottawa -- Canada should adopt more stringent safety standards for pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables consumed by children, a controversial House of Commons committee report has recommended.

"Given the vulnerability of children, fetuses and other sectors of the population, the committee feels that an increased level of protection from the potential harm of pesticides is required," the report said.

It recommended powerful new legislation to protect all Canadians from the potential health threats of pesticides, including eliminating the use of lawn chemicals. It said scientific and medical journals are increasingly reporting on the links between pesticides and breast cancer and other diseases.

Both Health Minister Allan Rock and Environment Minister David Anderson have said they will study its findings. The government has said it will revamp the Pest Control Products Act -- which has not been updated since 1969 -- but has not said when it will do so.

The MPs on the Liberal-dominated committee say they are concerned that the current regulatory system does not take into account the fact that consumers, especially children, may be exposed to many pesticides at the same time. Instead, it evaluates each pesticide individually to see if it is safe.

It also urged the government to raise the level of exposure of pesticides now considered safe, arguing that the standards are designed for adults, not children.

The report was denounced as alarmist by the Canadian Alliance party and pesticide manufacturers. They urged the government not to implement its recommendations, which they said are based on bad science.

"This would be bad public policy," said Lorne Hepworth, President of the Crop Protection Institute of Canada.

But the report is not the first one to argue for more stringent standards.

A year ago, the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development noted the urgent need to revamp pesticide regulations. More than 7,000 pesticides are approved for use in Canada and it has been years since many were re-evaluated under the current safety standards.

Environmentalists were encouraged by the findings of the committee and said its recommendations could be implemented by a government with the political will to protect the health of its citizens.

As well as urging the government to take action, the committee urged Canadians to become more conscious of the dangers of pesticides. Consumers should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating in order to remove pesticide residues, the committee said.

It also urged homeowners to see dandelions as "harmless and beautiful."

"They do not pose a threat to health; herbicides do, particularly to children. Therefore it is desirable to accept dandelions as a natural presence in the Canadian landscape."

The report concedes it is difficult to demonstrate a conclusive link between pesticides and certain illnesses, but argues that banning lawn chemicals and changing safety standards for foods are still reasonable measures to take.

Well Lyndon, if it is reasonable to PROTECT children/people in Canada - why not stop contaminating them with your "registered" POISONS in California?

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