Canada’s most eloquent
and intelligent writer
on public policy and
pest control products
John J. Holland iepma@shaw.ca
Holland's Biography
John J. Holland is Communications Director for Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada ( IEPMA ).
He is Canada’s MOST ELOQUENT and INTELLIGENT WRITER on the subject of public policy and pest control products.
In Letters To The Editor, Holland has EFFECTIVELY and FREQUENTLY SPOKEN OUT AGAINST Anti-Pesticide Activists.
The Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada ( IEPMA ), in conjunction with its membership, has been VERY decisive regarding the CONSPIRACY to PROHIBIT pest control products in British Columbia.
After all, conventional pest control products are HEALTH-CANADA-APPROVED, FEDERALLY-LEGAL, SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE, and PRACTICALLY-NON-TOXIC.
The Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association has correctly recognized that this is a BEACH-HEAD in the FIGHT FOR VICTORY against the ANTI-PESTICIDE CONSPIRACY to PROHIBIT pest control products in British Columbia.
Here are Mr. Holland’s career highlights and accomplishments ―
Fields of study ― Honours BA in History and Geology, post-graduate work in History
Notable work ― owner of a large professional lawn and tree care company in the Okanagan Region of British Columbia ( 1983 – 2004 ) ― supervisor of a structural pest control company in British Columbia ( 1979 – 1982 )
Special contributions ― Communications Director of Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada ( 2007 – present ) ― Vice-President of Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada ( 1998 – 2007 ) ― President of Environmental Standards Association ( 1985 – 1994 ) ― Co-Founder of Environmental Standards Association, the fore-runner to IEPMA ( 1984 )
Holland's Wisdom
Here are some examples of Holland’s wisdom ―
Agencies of your own Government ― namely Health Canada and the PMRA [ Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada ] ― have stated on numerous occasions that 2,4-D POSES NO UNACCEPTABLE RISKS TO THE PUBLIC.
Although I have never used my degree in the profession for which I studied, I found that the training I received in the methods of research was invaluable in enabling me to discern the facts of the real science behind the use of pest control products. Not being a scientist, I have always been guided by the work of those who are the actual experts.
If one does wish to reference the Precautionary Principle ( particularly the Wingspread Version ) ― There is SUBSTANTIAL AND UNDENIABLE PROOF for both « serious » and « irreversible » harm to employees and families of applicator companies ( and to the companies themselves ). In Quebec and Ontario, many companies have been driven out of business ― there is no lack of any certainty about this. In spite of the claims of activists to the contrary, THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, and they and their families are suffering the consequences, health and otherwise ― there is no lack of certainty about this.
As you may be aware, there are also numerous MISLEADING ― or UN-SCIENTIFIC ― studies with such a negative point of view, such as the Ontario College of Family Physicians’ [ OCFP ] Pesticide Literature Review ( 2004 ). This review has been used to support almost every proposed pesticide ban, from the Municipal to the Provincial ( e.g., Ontario ) level. The information used by those like the OCFP has been CHERRY-PICKED by the physicians ― NOT SCIENTISTS ― writing the report, and the report has been DISCOUNTED by many scientists and government experts in this and other countries. Studies used are generally all epidemiological, and links to cancer and other diseases have been WEAK and NOT CONSISTENT from study to study. Toxicological studies DO NOT CONFIRM the epidemiological findings. By definition, epidemiology CANNOT FIND CAUSES ― they merely suggest correlations, and the basic tenet of epidemiology is that correlation does not mean causation. Studies must also be consistently reproducible before a finding can be found meaningful. At any rate, the OCFP study ignored or down-played other important epidemiological studies that did not conform to its premise of the dangers of pesticides ( again, check with the PMRA ).
CAPE and Forman also seem to believe, with NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF, that all synthetic pesticides cause cancer.
Despite popular belief, Canadian Cancer Society, which has taken such a large and activist role against pesticides, is NOT A SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION. Canadian Cancer Society is a volunteer advocacy and fund-raising association, with NOT A SINGLE SCIENTIST on staff with pesticide expertise.
From your statements, I would have to assume that you must consider the 350 qualified scientists of the PMRA incompetent and/or incapable of arriving at correct scientific findings.
It must first be noted that there is NO SUCH THING as « full scientific certainty ». ONE CANNOT PROVE A NEGATIVE. It is IMPOSSIBLE to prove scientifically that pest control products ― or any substance, including water ― could NEVER harm anything or anyone under ANY circumstances. There is also NO PROOF of « environmental degradation » caused by what are erroneously termed « cosmetic » pest control products.
Municipal and provincial governments and even health-related professional organizations have been taking advice on pesticides from those who are THE LEAST QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE IT. These governments also ignore those who have THE ESSENTIAL EXPERTISE, such as Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency ( PMRA ).
Products containing 2,4-D DO NOT POSE UNACCEPTABLE RISKS to human health or the environment. They also have value for lawn and turf, agriculture, forestry and industrial uses when used according to the label directions proposed in previous consultation documents.
There are NO efficacious or cost-effective alternatives to the conventional products being banned. Due to their POOR PERFORMANCE, the « alternative » products left have to be applied more often, with more applicator visits, dramatically increasing an applicator’s environmental footprint ― there is no lack of certainty about this.
While there have been numerous studies published on the effects of pesticides on human health, the VAST MAJORITY have shown that there are NO DISCERNABLE HEALTH PROBLEMS.
2,4-D has been registered in our country since 1946, and is the third most-used herbicide in Canada. If there were health problems related to 2,4-D’s application, it would seem obvious that concrete proof ― after over 60 years of use ― would have surfaced by now, particularly when you realize that there have been thousands of studies, and numerous re-evaluations by both Health Canada and the U.S. EPA [ Environmental Protection Agency ]. This herbicide is probably THE MOST STUDIED PESTICIDE IN HISTORY.
The Library of Holland Reports
