Pat
Martin's Bill to Ban the Non-Essential Use of Pesticides in Canada
Dear Friends,
Please email
your Federal Member of Parliament asking him/her to
request that Pat Martin's private member's Bill to Ban the
Non-Essential Use of Pesticides be brought forward to
debate in the House of Commons. See the press release
below. A private member's Bill will die if not
requested to be brought forward to debate. Should you wish to
email the Prime Minister and leaders of the opposition their email
addreses are:
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE April
24, 2006
BAN THE NON-ESSENTIAL USE OF
PESTICIDES
BILL INTRODUCED TODAY WOULD CREATE A MORATORIUM
OTTAWA – NDP
MP Pat Martin was
joined today by Ottawa scientist Meg Sears of the Canadian Coalition
for Health and Environment, in calling for Ottawa to ban the
non-essential use of pesticides.
Mr. Martin is tabling a Private Members Bill
today that would amend the Pest Control Products Act to place a
moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides in homes, gardens
and on recreational facilities such as parks and golf courses. The
moratorium would be in place until scientific evidence showing that
such use is safe has been presented to Parliament and approved by a
parliamentary committee. This proposed moratorium would take effect on
Earth Day, 2007.
“Why should we have to prove that a
product is harmful before it is taken off the market?” asked
Martin. “This Bill puts the onus on the manufacturers to
prove that their product is safe before we’ll allow them to
sell it. Until they do, it’s off the shelves.”
It is widely believed chemical pesticides are a
leading environmental cause of cancers, neurological disorders and
adverse effects on reproductive health. Approximately 35% of all
pesticides are used in cosmetic, non-essential applications. Children
and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
Martin’s PMB is being given first
reading on the same day an important new report is being released,
Pesticide Assessment – Protecting Public Health on the Home
Turf. This report cites research by Sears and three other
medical researchers. They agree that federal legislation should curtail
the non-essential use of pesticides nationally and that our current
pesticide regulation regime is inadequate.
“Our report concludes that
cancer, neurological impairment, and reproductive problems are
persuasively linked to phenoxy herbicide exposure (2-4-D).”
says Dr Meg Sears.
For
more information contact:
Ian
Wayne (613) 992-5316 or (613) 301-2079
Community Web.
