Reprinted from the Canadian Association of
Agri-Retailers - February 23, 2005 release.
The Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers
(CAAR) is thrilled by the recent
conclusions by Health Canada's Pest Management
Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that
2,4-D, one of the most commonly used herbicides
in both lawn care and food protection,
presents no risk to human and environmental
health. This conclusion adds to the
growing body of evidence from around the
world that the use of pest control products is
far safer than the environmental movement
would have us believe. The agriculture sector
urges the public to consider scientific
findings before succumbing to unsubstantiated
and alarmed claims of
hazards.
"The use of pest control products like 2,4-
D is absolutely vital to the continued
production of abundant, healthy and affordable
food," said CAAR President Bob Evans.
"Thanks to these products, Canada has been
able to attain one of the highest levels of food
production in the world, with some of the
lowest real prices in history. The scientific
data put forward over the past 30 years consistently
indicates that when used properly,
pest control products do not endanger people
or the environment. We should all be
singing the praises of 2,4-D for what it, and
products like it, have done for us over the
years."
2,4-D is a broadleaf herbicide that has
been used in Canada since 1946. It is registered for use on wheat, barley, corn, rice and
potatoes. Studies of health and environmental
effects of pest control products, like 2,4-D,
began in the late 1970s. "The conclusions of
the PMRA are the latest in a number of findings
over the past 20 to 25 years, that have
been consistent in finding no link between
2,4-D and cancer in humans or other animals,"
said President Evans.
Pesticide use has, for years been the alleged
cause of illnesses including various
types of cancers, reproductive disorders, and
respiratory ailments. No hard scientific data
has been offered to back up these claims.
Nevertheless, the alarm these allegations generate
have led to numerous calls to ban the
use of pest control products. "This is the worst
kind of junk science," concludes Mr. Evans.
"Whether used as a lawn treatment, or in crop
production, every credible scientist has made
their data fully available. When will the environmental
movement do the same?"
CAAR applauds the work conducted by
Health Canada's PMRA, and encourages everyone
to use this resource to determine the
true facts about the products used on our
lawns and in food production. Pest control
products have given us the most abundant and
affordable food in history and, to date, cannot
be credibly linked to health and
environmental risks.
Reprint permission given by AgAir Update, P.O. Box 850, Perry, GA 31069 - an international agricultural aviation publication.
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