In my travels around British Columbia last week, I heard numerous opinions about lawn pesticides. Most people I met, predictably, were in favor of a provincial ban that would eliminate the sale and use of products like weed ‘n feed and Roundup. One federal politician predicted that a national ban in Canada would likely never happen, due to fear of a lawsuit from the giant U.S. chemical companies such as Dow Chemical — which has initiated a lawsuit against the Canadian government for $2 million due to the provincial bans on 2,4-D in Quebec and Ontario.
Dow, one of the world’s five largest chemical companies, is suing under NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Dow claims the ban lacks scientific support and amounts to an “expropriation” of its business in the province (several Dow products contain 2,4-D). It has demanded it financial damages be repaid.
Laws or no laws, I agree with this editorial in a British Columbia newspaper. Vote with your own wallet and learn to garden without the pesticides. You, your family and the planet will all be better off: http://www2.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/opinion/story.html?id=692c23bf-843a-4f7c-89f7-cc3d70a6fc50
Sun, Jan 24, 2010
General