The Rural Voice, 1991-03, Page 36John & Michelle Drummond
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30 THE RURAL VOICE
AG ALTERNATIVES CONFERENCE:
DEBATE OVER RESIDUES IN FOOD
WILL LEAD TO SAFER FUTURE
by Kevin Stewart
Since 1989, the Guelph Agricul-
tural Alternatives groups have held a
conference once a year to find ways of
farming smarter with less damage to
the environment. However, at the
recent 1991 conference, the whole
concept of growing food by alternative
methods has dragged some uninvited
problems along with it. Some feel the
very idea of alternative growing
methods questions conventional
farming and also questions the safety
of conventionally produced food.
Currently the scientific community
says there is much evidence to show
our food supply is relatively safe, even
though there is no 100 per cent guar-
antee. The Ecological Farmers Assoc-
iation of Ontario (EFAO) also says
food safety is not the main issue. Nor
do they officially claim to produce a
superior product.
EFAO spokesman Mike Pembry
says, "EFAO does not want to get the
message to consumers that our pro-
duce is better for their health or better
in terms of quality. Although our
members have a philosophical belief
that our methods of farming do pro-
duce a product that is better, this can't
be claimed as there is no conclusive
proof of this."
Ecological farmers appear more
concerned with production methods
that are environmentally sound. How-
ever, consumers seem to have the
perception organic food is safer, due
in part to the fact that pesticides are
not used during production. That's
where the problems begin.
A spokesperson for the Consumers
Association of Canada says consumers
are scratching their heads because of
conflicting reports about the health
risk of crop protection agents. Ruth
Jackson says such confusion has re-
sulted in claims by certain fringes of
the organic industry that the absence
of such agents during production
makes their product better. "We are
concerned that some promotions for
organically produced food are less
than honest. Lack of ability to iden-
tify food that has been produced using
alternative methods leaves the process
somewhat suspect, especially when
premiums charged are high. Con-
sumers have a right to accurate
information ..."
But what information is the con-
sumer supposed to believe? Dr. Doug
Hallett, who has grown by organic and
conventional methods, is a toxicol-
ogist from Eco -Logic of Rockwood,
Ontario presented the conference with
test results from samples of fruit and
vegetables purchased in Canada and
imported from around the world. The
goal was to give a broad picture of the
chemical residues found in food sold
in a typical supermarket.
Results showed in one test pest-
icide residues were detected in 26 of
the 28 samples. A second test showed
the largest number of pesticide resi-
dues (six) were found in California
strawberries and broccoli which were
purchased in Toronto. A third test
showed residue concentrations in all
samples were below the maximum
residue limit specified in the Food and
Drug Act. However, some did come
within one per cent of the set limits.
Hallett continues, "There is no
doubt residues are turning up in our
food and most of these are within legal
limits. Many are ending up in our
food because of an unnecessary use of
chemicals." He says there are many
growers in the Beaver Valley who are
using only two of the 22 recom-
mended spray applications each year.
Upon examining the fruit, he found
high quality apples with no residue of
the added chemicals.
To clarify he adds, "There is no
such thing as residue free food, and
this study examined only pesticide
residues in food." Dr. Hallett points