Pesticide Education, Not Bans, Ensure Safe and Healthy Environment
WINNIPEG, March 20, 2012 /CNW/ - As Canadian Crop Input Specialists, the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) is acutely aware of the value inherent in plant protection tools such as pesticides, as well as the rigorous standards that those tools must meet to be made available for use. Bans that ignore the scientific evidence required by existing federal regulations for approval of such products, such as the cosmetic pesticide ban currently being considered by Manitoba Conservation, jeopardize the health and safety of the very communities they are intended to protect.
"Plant protection products, such as pesticides, are proven safe and effective tools to maintain our green spaces and crops," says Delaney Ross Burtnack, President & CEO of CAAR. "These tools prevent infestations of insects and diseases, and keep these spaces safe from noxious or poisonous and pollen producing weeds. They keep sport turf uniform, healthy and safe for our children. Taking away these tools based on fear and misinformation is as incomprehensible to me as banning a proven safe and effective medication. Even the safest medications must be used correctly - do we ban them because someone might not read and follow the label? No. We educate people on how to use them safely; we encourage people to talk to their doctor, just as the public is encouraged to talk to their retailer or service provider. These tools are rigorously tested, proven safe by Health Canada, and banning them without a science-based and logical reason will only result in fewer safe options for maintaining our green spaces, and the decline of our quality of life."
CAAR supports the formation of public policy based on sound scientific evidence, rather than fear and misinformation. Public policy should promote responsible and informed use of such tools, not ban them when scientific evidence, Health Canada and our own regulatory system clearly demonstrate their safety and effectiveness.
Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAAR is a national not-for- profit industry association representing more than 900 agri-retail locations and industry affiliates in Canada, specializing in crop input sales and services.
Delaney Ross Burtnack, M.Sc. (Agronomy)
President & CEO
Office: 204-989-9303
Cell: 204-230-6293
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