Pesticide bans should be scientific and done by the Feds
By Maxwell Anderson, Vancouver Sun June 7, 2011 2:08 AM Re: Personal pesticide choices don’t happen in a bubble, Letters, May 31
A pair of letters show the difficulty of having a rational discussion on pest control products.
The suggestion that using a soap solution for a garden aphid problem would be better than other approved products for our “health, our children’s health, and the environment” is utterly unfounded.
It’s a superstition that so-called “natural” substances like soap and sulphur are safer than other chemicals.
The rant against “vast poisoning” of the water supply by “toxic chemicals” from products used in private gardens is also unfounded.
The hysteria on this subject was shown when local pesticide bans went into effect in various B.C. communities, outlawing many products whose toxicity is less than the table salt we eat and sprinkle on our roads and sidewalks.
I asked for an exemption for such ultra low-toxicity products, but local regulators simply won’t take a science-based approach.
That’s why it should be left to the federal authorities who have the legal responsibility for our safety.
The proposed provincewide ban on cosmetic pesticides is political pandering.
Honest leadership would simply ask the federal authorities responsible for pesticide approval to review matters, and, if appropriate, establish a tighter control on which products, uses and users are permitted.
Superstition-based democracy does not serve us well, it adds to the mountain of regulation that not only restricts our liberty but also increases our stress levels as we try to obey the layers upon layers of rules created by busybodies.
Maxwell Anderson, Vancouver
via Pesticide bans should be scientific and done by the Feds.
