HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-19, Page 20While farm use of pesticides is stillpermitted under the new CosmeticPesticide Ban Act, farmers continue
to worry about long-term
implications for their livelihood.
The act, which comes into effect in
April, provided the most
impassioned questions for Carol
Mitchell, MPP for Huron Bruce
when she attended the Members of
Parliament Luncheon of the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture,
Feb. 28 in Clinton.
Early in the meeting, in which farm
groups present briefs to their MPP
and MP, it seemed that Mitchell had
headed off controversy when she said
the regulations are being changed.
Initially it was proposed to allow the
use of pesticides on farmland as
defined by the Municipal Property
Assessment Corporation, but that
would prohibit farmers using land
zoned as future development, from
using chemicals. The new emphasis
would be on prohibiting sale to those
who did not have a permit to buy
pesticides, which farmers qualify for
by taking pesticide handling courses.
Larry Lynn of the Huron County
Grains and Oilseed Producers, who
also is a member of the AgCare
board of directors, said he was happy
to hear of the change and his concern
was how long groups like his would
have to comment on the changes.
But the mood became heated later
when crop consultant Mervyn Erb
questioned why the provincial
government would listen to the
Ontario Medical Association’s view
that pesticides should be banned for
cosmetic use when 350 scientists at
the federal government’s PestManagement Registration Agencysaid these chemicals were safe. Hecalled the OMA claim that thechemicals contribute to cancer “junkscience”.
“Banning pesticides in urban areas
while allowing them in food
production only undermines
confidence in food,” Erb told
Mitchell. “This is a slippery slope for
agriculture.”
Erb was joined in his criticism by
Bev Hill of Varna who claimed “The
OMA has been able to trump the
scientific-based regulatory process.”
The provincial government has
shown more faith in the views of the
doctors than in the scientists who
work with the chemicals, he said.
Bob Hallam of the Huron County
Grains and Oilseed Producers
complained “It’s the spin-doctors
that are causing the grief. The
problem is the image it’s going togive to agriculture. It can be spun tomake it difficult to defendagriculture.”But Mitchell argued back, sayingthe government is trying to address
public health concerns. One in four
families is affected by cancer, she
said. Health groups say pesticides are
part of the problem. The OMA has a
study that shows the effect of
pesticides in growth of cancer.
Lynn said AgCare which is made
up of farm groups representing
45,000 Ontario farmers, is trying to
prevent something that could spin out
of control.
“My position is to support the farm
community,” Mitchell responded.
“But I get concerned when you argue
that pesticides shouldn’t be banned
in the city because it’s okay for
food.” That argument can be easily
turned around, she said.
Ken Oke, mayor of South Huron,said he could agree with Mitchellthat often pesticides are misused inurban areas with people applyingseveral applications during thesummer while a farmer, because of
the high cost, would spray only once.
But the problem is that chemicals
used in Canada have been
scientifically certified as safe but
other chemicals, which we won’t
allow to be used here because they
are deemed unsafe, are being sprayed
on foods grown elsewhere in the
world that are then imported to
Canada.
Mitchell said the province doesn’t
have jurisdiction to stop foods from
being imported but it has tried to
convince people to buy Ontario
products through “buy local”
programs.
Joe Vermunt,OFA Zone 7
(Huron/Perth) Director, questionedhow the OMA can attribute thecancer increase to pesticides.During a recent thaw the City ofLondon was dumping raw sewageinto the Thames River, he said, and
some of the drinking water for
London and other municipalities
being taken into the Lake Huron
Pipeline at Grand Bend comes
from as far away as Chicago.
Hallam told Mitchell that there
are positive sides to pesticides that
need to be explained to the public.
On the same note, Bob
Fotheringham of the Ontario Bean
Producers’ Marketing Board said
the use of herbicides was essential
for white bean producers since
weeds in the field stain the beans
and processors won’t buy the beans
if they are stained.
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009.Farm groups criticize cosmetic pesticide use ban
Challenge: Conflicting schedules leave no time
to enjoy meals together as a family
Solution:Studies show that eating family meals together is associated with
healthy eating patterns, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, more fibre and
less fat. Eating together also helps develop healthy food habits in children
particularly when parents are good role models. While it’s hard to make family
meals happen all the time — the ideas below will help your family eat well together
as often as possible.
• Be flexible – Try to schedule activities so you have some time everyday to eat
together. You might have to be more flexible with your main meal and vary it
according to daily activities. For example, dinner might be at 5:00 p.m. one night
and 7:00 p.m. another night.
• Make nutritious snacks available – Not everyone can wait for the family meal.
Healthy snacks can contribute to daily nutrient intakes. Prepare raw vegetables or
fruit plates ahead of time and keep in the fridge for after school or after work
snacks. Keep snacks in the car or in your bag to avoid the vending machines and
fast food stops. Handy snacks include: trail mix made with dry cereal, nuts, and
dried fruit; whole-grain or graham crackers; yogurt and cheese; individual
containers of fruit; water bottles and juice boxes.
• Keep track of winning meals. Mark up your cookbooks with comments like,
“too much work” or “tastes amazing!” or any additions/substitutions that worked for
a recipe. Make notes on every recipe you try so you know what you and your
family’s reaction to it was.
Business Directory
D & J
CONSTRUCTION
Jim McDonald 519-887-9607
- COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE -
COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES
MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION
DAN'S AUTO REPAIR
Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell
RR 3, Blyth, Ont. N0M 1H0
(on the Westfield Rd.)
DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician
519-523-4356
COVERING ALL YOUR
CARPENTRY NEEDS
CASEY BOVEN
Blyth 519-523-4757
• New Homes
• Replacement
Windows & Doors
• Renovations
• Soffit & Fascia
• Decks
• Additions
• Trim
• Hardwood Flooring
ELLIOTT NIXON
INSURANCE BROKERS INC.
BLYTH, ON
N0M 1H0
519-523-4481
MEMBER OF HURON INSURANCE MANAGERS GROUP
4 Generations
Since 1910
R. John Elliott Res. 519-523-4323
J. Richard Elliott Res. 519-523-9725
Randy Nixon Res. 519-523-4989
McKILLOP
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
91 Main St., South, Seaforth
Office 519-527-0400
1-800-463-9204
FARM, HOME,
COMMERCIAL
AUTO COVERAGES
AGENTS
Graeme Craig 519-887-9381
Shannon Craig 519-348-4237
Donald Taylor 519-482-9976
Banter, Mac Ewan & Feagan
Insurance Brokers Ltd. 519-524-8376
Gaiser Kneale Insurance 519-482-3401
Insurance Central Limited 519-235-2211
Cockwell Insurance 519-356-2216
G.L. Barclay Insurance 519-238-6790
Julie Campbell, CIP 519-527-2798
Lynda Vincent 519-527-2204
Dan McNaughton 519-262-3426
Huronview Insurance
Brokers Ltd. 519-595-4044
VANDRIEL
Excavating Inc.
Simon
VanDriel
519-482-3783
We Dig For You
Call us for... Excavators, Bobcats,
Dozers, Trucking, etc.
COMPLETE EXCAVATING
CONTRACTOR
Derrick
VanDriel
519-522-0609
• Gravel • Sand
• Stone
JAMES BROWN PHARMACY
198 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont.
519-357-1629
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4
Rear Parking Available
Delivery
available
Heartland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
For all your Real Estate
needs call salesperson
Don Allen 519-523-9125 (H)
www.rlpheartland.ca
INSTANT FAX AS FAST AS A PHONE
Send your paperwork by FAX instantly! eg. statements, contracts,
auction ads, favourite recipes, obituaries, messages...
The Citizen has a FAX machine in our Blyth office that lets you contact
any other FAX machine in the world ... instantly.
Our FAX number is also your number so if you want to be
reached instantly — we will receive your messages
as well.
The Citizen
Call Us Today For Details 519-523-4792
Fax: 519-523-9140
Phone: 519-357-3210 • Fax: 519-357-2931 • Website: www.1wha.ca
GRIEF RECOVERY OUTREACH PROGRAM - March to June 2009, 7-9 p.m.
Grief is surrounded by many myths, like • time heals all wounds, • replace the loss, • grieve alone,
• be strong, • hide your feelings. Whether your loss results from death, divorce, loss of job,
childhood issues, recent or some time in the past, recovery is possible. Contact Kathy Procter -
Huron Hospice Volunteer Service 519-357-2720
BRING YOUR MEDICATIONS
When you are coming to the Emergency Department or are being admitted to the hospital, please
bring all your medications with you, both prescription and over the counter remedies. This will
help us to know exactly what medications you are taking and will improve our ability to provide
the best possible safe care.
ONTARIO HEALTH COVERAGE
Need a new or replacement card? The Ministry of Health holds a card replacement clinic at the
hospital regularly. An appointment must be booked by calling 1-888-376-5197.
REMINDER TO VISITORS
Visiting hours are 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. daily. If you are ill, please do not visit our patients.
WINGHAM & DISTRICT
HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
“Excellence in Rural Health Care”
By Keith RoulstonThe Citizen