The Rural Voice, 1980-12, Page 19=INVOICE OF A FARMER
More research needed
BY ADRIAN VOS
It was disturbing to find out that some batches of the herbicide
2,4-D have been found to contain dioxin. Some dioxins, out of
the several dozen different varieties, are carcinogenic. It was
equally disturbing to find that the research into the safety of at
least 96 other chemicals, a number of which are used "in
agriculture, had not been done, or done improperly, in order to
save money by using shortcuts.
While this testing was done by independent laboratories, it
still should be the full responsibility of the chemical companies to
ensure that all testing is done properly.
The argument by Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan that no
ill effects have shown up in 30 years may be true, but it is not
good enough. What if ill effects had shown up? The banning
would have been too late for some unfortunate people.
Banning the stuff now, as some activists demand, doesn't
make sense anymore, as the 30 years' use is sufficient testing.
But the chemical companies, in whose product the dioxins were
found, should be prosecuted. The stuff doesn't belong in 2, 4-D,
and is not needed for weed control.
In the past I have been a staunch defender of agricultural
chemicals, and 1 have ridiculed the activists as fear mongers.
Now I am finding out that there may have been cases when they
were right.
While I still don't subscribe to fearmongering, as objections to
progress should be based on sound fact, my strong opinions will,
of necessity, be more cautious.
Our farm organizations too, will do well to demand firm testing
and strict controls, for it is their members who are most exposed
to the 'cider.' To restore confidence, the minister must outline a
plan where insufficient testing cannot happen again, and assure
us that no dangerous and unnecessary chemicals are mixed in.
2, 4-D can't be banned now anyway, as this would cause an
immediate drop in grain production of approximately 30 per
cent, as estimated by the World Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO). But it must be produced without
contamination. Farm organizations must insist on it.
The time may have come that the farmers will be better off to
join with the environmentalists, in demanding accelerated
research and development of biological pest control. This makes
excellent economic sense, tor most insecticides are expensive.
It makes a lot of sense if farmers, activists, chemical
manufacturers, and government departments would sit down
together in an atmosphere of good -will to thresh out their
differences, and get some real progress in the chemical field
going.
But I suspect that this is too much to expect.
A merry Christmas to all!
W.D. HOPPER
& SONS
Water Well Drilling
R.R. 2 Seaforth
Members of the Ontario Water Well Assoc.
• Prompt Reliable Service
• Free Estimates
• 5 Modern
Call Collect
Neil
Seaforth
527-1737
Durl
Seaforth
527-0828
Rotary Rigs
James
Seaforth
527-0775
'Where Hopper Goes The Water Flows'
SLNCE 1915
ALFRED
KNECHTEL
Spray Painting Ltd.
—SPECIALIZING IN FARM BUILDINGS—
(519) 669-2638
R.R. 2 WALLENSTEIN, ONTARIO
THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1980 PG. 17