Songbirds say thanks!

Dear Briarpatch,

Well, here we go again! That great federal government protector of human health and the environment, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), has de-registered a dangerous herbicide, mecoprop. That's the good news.

But guess what? PMRA is also concerned about the health of the pesticide industry--so concerned that mecoprop can be sold until December 31, 2005. Even worse, herbicide products containing mecoprop can be legally used until December 31, 2009. Do we really need any more proof that PMRA cares more about the pesticide industry than about human health and the environment?

Look at what mecoprop does. It inhibits the synthesis of DNA, interfers with blood clotting and inhibits the production of important components of the immune system. Laboratory tests on mice, using a mecoprop-containing herbicide, found that it interfered with reproduction, reducing litter size--even the lowest dose level tested had this effect. Also, a regional study in Canada has found that exposure to mecoprop is associated with an increased risk of the cancer non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Children are particularly at risk for a number of reasons, one being their fondness for playing on lawns.

Mecoprop is a very dangerous product, And it is found in 98 different registered herbicides used in Canada; Target, Killex, Dyvel, Greenleaf Weed Killer, Greencross Killex 500, Wilson RTU Spot Weed Killer, Weed Away, Co-op Premium Lawn Weed Killer and Trillium Liquid Herbicide, to name a few.

With a little more encouragement perhaps the City of Regina, and other communities, will voluntarily stop using these toxins now, rather than continue to poison our environment while "phasing them out" for years to come. We can look at Halifax, a city with a by-law restricting pesticide use, to see the benefits; people with chemical sensitivities have noticed an improvement in their health, lawns are being replaced with perennials and shrubs that are much more interesting and require less maintenance and water, and songbird populations are increasing.

So why wait until December 31, 2009 putting human health and the environment at risk for another 5 years. Just because the regulator, PMRA would rather risk human and environmental health than offend the pesticide industry? With friends like PMRA, we really don't need any more enemies!

COPYRIGHT 2004 Briarpatch, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group