Subject: PESTICIDE FOES, BACKERS SWAP FEARMONGERING CHARGES------
Date: Sat, 09 Dec 2000 08:38:13 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State
of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an
article entitled: PESTICIDE FOES, BACKERS SWAP FEARMONGERING CHARGES dated
December 1, 2000 - The Calgary Herald - B3 - Michael Lau, Calgary Herald.
A city official who suggested a ban on pesticide use
could unleash a $20-million pest infestation in the parks system is guilty of
fearmongering, say organizers of the anti-pesticide campaign.
However, a spokesman for the lawn care industry said
proponents of the ban are the real fearmongers.
Bashir Jamal, a city parks manager, warned Wednesday the
city could face more than $20-million in restoration costs if Calgary stopped
using pesticides to control bugs and weeds.
"For that kind of information to get out there is,
quite frankly, fearmongering" Brian Pincott, a spokesman for the Sierra
Club of Calgary, said Thursday.
The club wants the city to cut pesticide use by 95 per
cent within three years.
Pincott said the proposal would involve alternate pest
control methods, such as applying compost to feed the grass and choke weeds.
Jim Nix, a representative for the lawn care industry,
accused the anti-pesticide forces of spreading fear by linking pesticides to
cancer and hormone problems.
"They're conducting a fearmongering campaign based
on 'What if we find it's bad in 50 years time.' Well, we've been studying the
stuff for 50 years and nobody's found it bad yet, so what's the issue?"
Nix said.
Jamal presented his arguments at a public hearing before
the city operations and environment subcommittee, a meeting that drew more
than 200 people and 70-plus presenters.
Ald. Jon Lord, subcommittee chairman, said the panel will
look beyond the claims.
"The reality is you probably can't resolve this
issue to everyone's satisfaction. However, my impression was it was a very
positive meeting with very good input and very good information brought by
both sides.''
The committee will discuss the issue further on Jan. 10.
During his presentation, Jamal said $20-million was the
restoration costs facing the City of Ottawa after a 1998 pesticide ban
resulted in severe damage to its parks.
Ottawa banned herbicides in 1985 and as a result weed
coverage soared to 80 per cent from 10 per cent, Ottawa's long-time arborist,
Brian Smith said Thursday.
But the city turned to alternative weed control measures,
including aerating, top dressing with compost and making grass healthier
through verti-cutting (cutting out the matting in the root system), he said.
The weed coverage for the city is now 35 per cent.
Ottawa banned the use of insecticides in June 1998 and in
April 1999 replaced the ban with an interim protocol that recommends chemical
pesticide be used only as a last resort. Officials hope to adopt an integrated
pest management strategy next spring.
Smith said since the initial moratorium, insecticides
have been used only twice on tree-dwelling wasps because they endangered the
health of children living nearby.
Well Mr. Helliker,
I sure would like to use my safe and far more effective alternatives
for three years here. It would be
great to be paid the "$20 Million" when I prove there is no increase
in pest problems possible using my safe and far more effective unregistered
alternatives. We have
consistently achieved better pest control results (for less money) when we do
not use any of your "registered" synthetic POISONS.
Is this why you consider them "illegal"?
Respectfully, Stephen
L. Tvedten
(Editor's Note: More about what the chemical industry's IPM programs
include: Click
Here)
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