Newfoundland And Labrador Pesticides Working Group Media Release

Subject: Newfoundland And Labrador Pesticides Working Group Media Release
Date:    Fri, 28 Jun 2002 08:36:31 -0400
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 the June 26, 2002: NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR PESTICIDES WORKING GROUP MEDIA RELEASE

Newfoundland and Labrador Pesticides Working Group Calling for a Ban on the Unnecessary Cosmetic Use of Chemical Pesticides

The Newfoundland and Labrador Pesticides Working Group is calling on provincial and municipal governments to ban the unnecessary cosmetic use of chemical pesticides in the province. The group will be meeting on Thursday July 4th in St. John's with the Hon. Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment; the Hon. Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services; and Mr. Randy Simms, President of the Provincial Federation of Municipalities. Later on Thursday they will also be meeting PC Environment Critic, Tom Osborne and possibly with Jack Harris, Leader of the NDP.

The provincial Pesticides Working Group is advocating political and social action to reduce the health and environmental risks from the thousands of pesticide compounds presently in use.

The 7000 pesticide related compounds registered for use in Canada have one thing in common; they are all designed to kill one or more species of living organisms, usually in a non-specific manner. It is estimated that less than five percent of pesticide formulations actually reach intended target organisms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 200,000 people are killed worldwide, every year, as a direct result of pesticide poisoning, up from 30,000 in 1990. The WHO further estimates that at least 3 million persons are poisoned annually, many of who are children. A study in England and Wales demonstrated that 50% of pesticide poisonings involved children under the age of 10. (Van der Gaag N, New Internationalist May/oo, p.9.)

The Working Group references the following medical, scientific and government documents that raise serious concerns regarding environmental protection and public health and which warrant a ban on the unnecessary cosmetic use of pesticides around our homes and communities:

● The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, Government of Canada Report, (March 2001) report stated that the Federal Government should allocate more dollars to beef up its capacity to understand new scientific findings, and apply them in assessing new and already-registered pesticides and chemicals.

The Round Table report also stressed the need for better integration of assessment activities among government departments, and calls for much more openness in the assessment process. The report, "Managing Potentially Toxic Substances in Canada", made 11 recommendations to the federal government designed to protect Canadians from dangerous chemicals in air, water, soil and food

● "Pesticides, Making the Right Choice For the Protection of Health and the Environment", the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, Government of Canada Report (May 2000). The executive summary concludes that pesticide exposure compromises human health, especially children's health. The Standing Committee also recommended to parliament that there be a ban on the unnecessary cosmetic use of chemical pesticides.

● Report of the Cousineau Study Group, Quebec Provincial Government Report (March 2002). The Cousineau Study Group, set up by the Minister of the Environment, Mr. Andre Boisclair looked into pesticides and supports the Precautionary Principle. The Study Group has acknowledged that "the risks that are linked to the exposure to pesticides in the urban setting, are real, and the greatest prudence should be exercised because it is the children who are most at risk, they are the ones who are exposed the most".

Responding to the report that recommends a ban on the use of chemical Pesticides, Boisclair has stated that he is, “studying the report and I think it would be a very good thing to ban the use of pesticides in public places."

● "A Public Health Approach to Pesticide Use in Canada" (April 25, 2002) a report submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health regarding Bill C-53 (Pest Control Products Act) by the Canadian Public Health Association.

The Canadian Public Health Association is recommending implementation of a pollution prevention approach to reduce "unacceptable risks and recommends that government should commit to reducing pesticide use, eliminating pesticides that are persistent pollutants or hormone disruptors, and phasing out cosmetic use."

● "Prevention Key to Fighting Disease" - Public Statement, Toronto, March 25, 2002. Julie White, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada stated that the Canadian Cancer Society is: "calling for a ban on the use of carcinogenic chemical pesticides for cosmetic use on lawns and gardens as there is compelling evidence that some commonly used pesticides cause cancer. We are very concerned about the environment. People should not be exposed to known carcinogens."

The Working group is optimistic that provincial and municipal governments will expeditiously act to protect the health of the residents and the environment of this province and will take a leadership role by first banning the use of toxic chemical pesticides on provincial and municipal property. For further information please contact:

Paul Bowdring - writer/editor, St. John's, ph 709-726-1060
Derek Bruce - Pasadena, ph 709- 686-5711
Alison Dyer - St. John's, ph 709-576-1312
Sarah Dredge - Community Free of Pesticides Group, Corner Brook, ph 709-634-7520
Bob Diamond - Community Free of Pesticides Group, Steady Brook, ph 709- 634-3607
Donald Gale -Stephenville, ph 709-643-4572
Joan Hillier - Women's Health Network, St. John's, ph 709- 778-6534.
Linda King -Physiotherapist, Grand Falls, ph 709-489-6948
Wayne King -Grand Falls, ph 709-489-6948
John Lannon - Gander, ph 709-651-2672
Tara Rigler - Deer Lake, ph 709- 635-3494
Darcy Maynard - Canadian Cancer Society, ph 709-753-6520
Grant Power - St. John's Harbour ACAP, ph 709- 747-4973
Sheila Robinson - Grand Falls, ph 709-785-2107 until July 25
Melissa Saunders - student, Harbour Grace, ph 709-596-1420
Linda Whalen - St. John's, Canadian and Newfoundland Environmental Networks, ph 709-722-8159

Mr.Randy Simms, President
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities
460 Torbay Road
St. John's, NF, A1A 5J3
ph 709- 753- 6820

Well Mr. Helliker, The World Health Organization (WHO) now estimates that 200,000 people are killed worldwide, every year, as a direct result of "registered" pesticide poisoning, up from 30,000 in 1990. The WHO further estimates that at least 3 million persons are poisoned annually, many of who are children. A study in England and Wales demonstrated that 50% of pesticide poisonings involved children under the age of 10. How many more innocent people must be needlessly POISONED and then die horrible deaths; before you will finally allow the use of thousands of safe and far more effective (unregistered) alternatives? We waged a "War on Terrorism" when several thousand people were killed on 9/11 - why are we not waging a war on your "registered" POISONS, especially when so many more innocents are needlessly and routinely stricken? Who is the real "terrorist"?

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