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This press release comes to me from an organic farmer in Hant's county, a region where much of our organic food originates. It seems scandalous that, in order to sustain their monoculture, the provincial government should be jeopardizing people's health and the health of the earth. Strategies anyone? Press Release: Citizen Action to Protect the Environment (CAPE) Hants Residents organize to fight pesticide spraying Announcements of intended aerial spraying of Vision 9a glysophate herbicide at two locations in Hants county have galvanized local residents concerned about the effects on their land, business and health. Impacts on wildlife and water quality are also important concerns to the group. Applications for spray permits on crown lands in the Walton woods road are awaiting approval from the Nova Scotia department of environment and labour, with spraying expected to begin during the next three weeks. About 50 residents gathered in Summerville for the second time on Monday night to share information and organize opposition to the spraying. Many expressed concerns about the potential health effects on people with allergies, asthma sufferers and those with environmental sensitivities. Government regulatory agencies acknowledge that glyphosate herbicides act as an irritant to the entire respiratory system as well as the skin and eyes. These pesticides have also been linked to cancer. Roundup (similar or identical to Vision according to Carl Weatherhead of the Dept. of Natural Resources is also the third most commonly reported cause of illness among farm workers in California and the top cause among landscape maintenance workers. Several animal studies have shown that roundup can cause gene mutations. Pesticide manufacturers do admit that glyphosate is toxic to some aquatic life. The pesticide also includes a cocktail of other ingredients which remain trade secrets known only to the Monsanto corporation. The spray typically drifts up to 2500 feet from its target area and can therefore be expected to affect nearby dwellings, farms, gardens and private work lots. The spray is able to kill vegetation with as little as 10 micrograms per plant. It was also noted that the arid summer weather conditions during recent years have been characterized by sudden strong winds which could carry spray drift for a considerable distance. Norbert Kungl a local resident and the largest organic farmer in Nova Scotia said "our customers have to able to trust that the produce is pesticide-free.” The impossibility of controlling spray drift puts all that in jeopardy. Residents also pointed out that the use of herbicide spray can be linked to poor forestry practices such as clear cutting. We make an effort to manage our own woodlot in a sustainable way with careful selective cutting, said Peter Siemers, then we find that we're at risk of damage from drifting herbicide. The group plans to take a petition door-to-door in the areas to gather support and to inform residents about the threat posed by the spray. .... -- Leighton (Larry) Steele Modern Languages Dept. Mount Saint Vincent University Phone : 457-6113 Fax : 425-0901 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- The preceding message was posted on the Sustainable Maritimes mailing list (sust-mar). http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/lists/sust-mar -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Volunteer moderator: Paul Falvo mailto:sust-mar-owner@chebucto.ns.ca To submit a message to sust-mar, please send it to: mailto:sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca PLEASE SEND MESSAGES TO SUST-MAR IN PLAIN TEXT ONLY MESSAGES CONTAINING HTML (MIME) CANNOT BE POSTED
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