Canada looks at
bringing back banned pesticide
REGINA – Canada may
allow a controversial farm chemical back onto
the market, but opinions are mixed about whether
that's a good idea.
Government
regulators told farmers to stop using lindane on
their canola seed in 1999, but company that
makes the chemical is urging Ottawa to
reconsider.
The chemical is meant to kill flea
beetles. However, some scientists say it kills
more than that.
"In cattle we have seen a number of
poisonings where cattle have actually consumed
treated grain and will obviously die from that,"
said Barry Blakley, the top veterinary
toxicologist at the University of Saskatchewan.
"The animals
that survive have the potential to have lindane
residues in their meat and in their milk."
Lindane exposure has also been linked to
human diseases such as breast cancer.
However, some farmers say the chemical is
cheap and not dangerous when it's used properly.
"Cost is a big issue with growers," said
Roy Button of the Saskatchewan Canola
Development Commission.
"Especially in Saskatchewan where we had
the frost from last year and probably don't have
the money to invest in crop production."
Lindane's U.S. manufacturer, Crompton
Corporation, tried to convince Ottawa its
product is safe during hearings before the Pest
Management Regulatory Agency's lindane review
board earlier this month.
American regulators are also reviewing
whether to allow the product into their country.
The final decisions could be months away.
Copyright © CBC
2005
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