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Tip: Your message to SUST-MAR must be html-free. So, BEFORE you hit SEND, please go to your "Format" pull-down menu and select "Plain text." Thanks! ____________________________________________________________________________ Begin forwarded message: From: "NDP Caucus" <NDPCAUCUS@gov.ns.ca> Date: Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:53:25 AM US/Pacific To: "NDP Caucus" <NDPCAUCUS@gov.ns.ca> Subject: Response to your email re: herbicide spraying October 13, 2004 Thank you for sending me a copy of your email to the Minister of Natural Resources regarding the herbicide spray program in Cumberland, Colchester and Kings counties. The NDP regards environment and public health as issues that should be top priority on the agenda of the government of this province. Our Caucus supports efforts to ban the herbicide spray program for several reasons. I attach a copy of a letter from John MacDonell, our NDP Natural Resources Critic, sent to the Minister requesting that he stop the proposed aerial spraying program, copies of our press releases on the issue and resolutions and questions our caucus introduced in the legislature on September 23. Again, thank you for the email. You can be assured that we will continue to raise this issue and keep it in the forefront until government bans the program. Sincerely, Darrell Dexter NDP Leader Leader of the Opposition cc John MacDonell, NDP Critic for Natural Resources August 25, 2004 Hon. Richard Hurlburt Minister of Natural Resources 2nd Floor Founders Square 1701 Hollis Street B3J 2T9 Sent via facsimile: 424-0594 Dear Mr. Minister, I write today as the NDP Caucus critic for Natural Resources regarding your department's plans to spray the herbicide Vision over Crown lands in Cumberland, Colchester and Kings counties. In this letter I will address two issues that are weighing on the minds of Nova Scotians, the safety of the spray being used and the actual need for a spraying program. The proposed spraying of Vision over these areas has many people concerned for their personal health, the health of their families and communities. Vision's key ingredient, glyphosate, has been linked to respiratory problems, certain types of cancer, miscarriages and birth defects as well as the potential for water contamination. While there are people in the federal and provincial levels of governments who profess the safety of this product, the evidence to the contrary cannot be ignored. If any doubt regarding the safety of this product exists this program must be stopped. If my understanding is correct, the proposed spray program is to be carried out to ensure the establishment of softwoods by killing off competing broad leaf species such as hardwoods and berries. There are alternatives to spraying. We should be re-examining current forestry practices used on Crown Lands in Nova Scotia and develop alternatives to the spraying of chemicals. STORA has stopped aerial spraying in Nova Scotia and it is time for the Province to follow suit. Mr. Minister, with the doubts surrounding the safety of the herbicide and the fact that positive alternatives to the aerial spraying of herbicides have not being fully explored in Nova Scotia, I request the proposed aerial spraying program be stopped. Sincerely, John MacDonnell, MLA Natural Resources Critic Monday, September 13, 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited Voice of the People Caution to wind In a complex world, on issues which seriously affect us, we must often look to government for leadership and guidance. When it comes to spraying glyphosate on our forests, all levels of government have sadly let us down. Enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act of 1999 there is a "precautionary principle" designed to protect us. It indicates that where there is any threat of serious irreversible damage, the lack of full scientific certainty must not be allowed to stop effective action to protect human health and the environment. Government is supposed to err on the side of caution. In the case of Vision, the chemical giant Monsanto's ironic name for glyphosate, the government has thrown the precautionary principle to the wind along with the glyphosate. There is conflicting science from those for and against spraying. Monsanto presents toxicological studies showing glyphosate does not cause cancer, birth defects, mutogenic effects or allergic reactions. Those opposed point to studies clearly linking it to respiratory problems, birth defects, miscarriages and cancers such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and that it has been banned in Denmark and Sweden. Yet, we're going to allow spraying. What's the hurry? The pro-spray people point to the economic impact on the forestry industry. But what about alternative silviculture practices? More labour intensive, they provide more jobs and sustain the ecosystem of the forest, not just the industry. To balance health concerns, and for true sustainability, we must err on the side of caution. To do otherwise is to throw caution to the wind. John MacDonell, MLA Hants East John MacDonell (Hants East) Joan Massey (Dartmouth East) September 7, 2004 NDP CALLS ON TORIES TO HALT HERBICIDE SPRAYING Halifax - NDP Natural Resources Critic John MacDonell and NDP Environment Critic Joan Massey are calling on the Minister of Natural Resources, Richard Hurlburt, to put an immediate stop to the application of herbicides planned for several areas in the province. "The choice is not people or trees," says Massey. "The issue is the right choice to ensure the safety of the families who live in the areas that will be sprayed, and the right choice to protect our forests." "The evidence is that Vision is not safe and not the only choice to protect our softwoods." On August 25th, 2004 MLA MacDonell wrote the Minister of Natural Resources to request that the proposed aerial spraying be stopped until positive alternatives to controlling the broadleaf species that threaten the softwood stands can be explored. In arguing for an immediate halt to any plans to use Vision, MacDonell cited evidence that links the key ingredient glyphosate to birth defects, certain cancers, respiratory problems, and miscarriages. To date the Minister has not responded to MacDonell's letter. "The long-term health of our population, and of our forests, are compatible," says Massey. "What we need are well-researched and well-considered approaches not a blind commitment to the first option, and not a Minister who refuses to listen to those most affected," adds MacDonell. -30- For more information, contact Barbara Emodi at 478-2027. John MacDonell (Hants East) September 14, 2004 PROVINCE SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE BAN AERIAL SPRAYING - NDP Halifax - NDP Natural Resources Critic John MacDonell is calling on the Minister of Natural Resources, Richard Hurlburt, to ban the aerial spraying of herbicides from aircrafts. "The aerial spraying of herbicides from aircrafts is too risky, and should be banned. When you drop such large quantities of chemicals at one time, over such a large area there are bound to be mistakes and that's just not acceptable. There are other alternatives, and its time the Department started thinking long term and properly managed our forests," says MacDonell. "The need to use herbicides is largely determined by the forest management practices being employed. Less clearcutting would mean less need to apply herbicides, all it takes is a little common sense and better planning." MacDonell was responding to news that Minister Hurlburt planned to go ahead with aerial spraying in spite of the opposition of local residents, municipal Councils, and environmental groups. MacDonell says that the Province of Nova Scotia should be demonstrating on their own lands the kinds of forest management treatments that do not require the application of herbicides to achieve profitable softwood growth. -30- For more information, contact Barbara Emodi at 478-2027. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 The honourable member for Hants East. RESOLUTION NO. 2252 MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution: Whereas herbicide sprayed on Crown lands has the potential to drift onto land where it is, in all cases, unwanted; and Whereas many people in Nova Scotia have requested that the government listen to their concerns regarding the practice of herbicide spraying; and Whereas this government has chosen to ignore the people and continues to endorse the use of spraying herbicides as a legitimate forestry practice; Therefore be it resolved that this government get the drift from the people of Nova Scotia and ban spraying on Crown land. Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice. MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver. Is it agreed? I hear a No. The notice is tabled. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 The honourable member for Dartmouth East. RESOLUTION NO. 2254 MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution: Whereas Denmark banned the herbicide Vision in 2003 after finding that it didn't break down before reaching groundwater; and Whereas Sweden banned the substance after two scientists linked it to the rapidly increasing incidence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma; and Whereas the Ontario College of Family Physicians published a pesticide literature review that found consistent evidence of health risks to patients with exposure to pesticides; Therefore be it resolved that this government err on the side of prevention and discontinue the spraying of Vision in Nova Scotia. Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice. MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver. Is it agreed? I hear several Noes. The notice is tabled. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East. NAT. RES.: VISION SPRAY PROG. - STOP MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources. Last month, DNR announced via tender that it intended to spray the herbicide, Vision, over 354 hectares of Crown land in Kings, Colchester and Cumberland Counties. Many people, myself included, had concerns regarding the product safety and have raised concerns for health of families and communities. Mr. Speaker, the pro spray areas are Crown land and that means they belong to the people of Nova Scotia. Since this program was announced, Nova Scotians have tried to send this government a message and that message has been loud and clear. Use some common sense and stop the spray program on Crown land. My question, Mr. Speaker, is, why is this government not listening to the people of Nova Scotia? HON. RICHARD HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I feel that Nova Scotians do deserve to hear my comments on this issue, and my comments are very loud and very clear. I am listening to all the people of Nova Scotia, and my department has asked the regulatory bodies, Health Canada to reinvestigate this. He assured us that this is a safe product. I asked the Department of Health in the province to investigate this. They tell me that there is no harm to the health and well-being of human beings. We have excellent forest management practices in this province, and we are going to maintain them. MR. MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker. I don't know if the minister is listening to everyone, but certainly he does have some comments and I'll table this article from the Chronicle Herald September 9th, in which the minister is quoted in reference to the safety of Vision and saying that he is not a specialist in that field, but that he is listening to the specialists. I'd like to table this, and also I would like to table a letter from Dr. Roy Fox who is a specialist in environmental health issues. In his opinion there are dangers related to Vision's key ingredient, glyphosate. He asked the minister to protect our health and the health of our environment. My question for the minister is, if the minister is listening to experts, why is he not listening to this one? MR. HURLBURT: I thank the member for his question. I have listened, and I have listened to Dr. Jeffrey Scott. The health specialist for this province. I've listened to Health Canada for our nation. I've listened to other ministers. I just left a national minister's conference, and this product is being used across our nation and it has been proven to be safe. We have excellent forest management practices in this province and we will continue that. MR. MACDONELL: I guess that the debate about how excellent our forest practice is will have to wait for another day, but the minister should be aware that DDT was supposedly proven to be safe, and where is it today? It is not being used. Trees have been growing in Nova Scotia for millions of years without the use of Vision. The fact that many of the trees we are harvesting have never been treated with any herbicide. We don't have to spray and there are alternatives. My question for the minister is, will the minister apply the precautionary principle that says that if there is any doubt, err on the side of caution and ban the spraying of herbicides on Nova Scotia's Crown lands. MR. HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, we have 75 per cent of the land mass in the Province of Nova Scotia is owned by private land owners. We have an industry that is the second largest industry in this province. We have to protect that industry. We have to protect Nova Scotians and we have to protect our environment. We are doing that. We are staying on track to make sure that there is a sustainable forest in this province for years to come and for generations to come. We are also looking out for the industry in this province, and we are going to make sure that that industry can survive. We've had enough heart aches in the past few years with the soft wood lumber dispute. We are working to make sure that that industry will be here for years to come. That is rural industries in this province. ____________________________________________________________________________ Did a friend forward this to you? Join sust-mar yourself! Just send 'subscribe sust-mar' to mailto:majordomo@chebucto.ca
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