Presentations & Publications

Presentations and Publications

2008

June 17

Treated Wood EPA and PMRA Reviews

SNAP just signed on to the following treated wood comments from Beyond Pesticides to the US EPA. It is relevant to do so as the products are under co-operative re-evaluation, and the US re-evaluations is poorly done. ( issues or info/treated wood) –publications, and news.

To see Beyond Pesticides comments http://www.beyondpesticides.org/documents/woodpreservecomments.pdf .

have also send SNAP’s own comments to the PMRA as well as an endorsement of the Beyond Pesticide comments to the PMRA. ( see CAP/leters/ 08-6 SNAP comments to PMRA re treated wood)

2007

July 12. SNAP asks Sask Environment about Pesticides progress in the Green Strategy

June Pesticide Issues in Saskatchewan: A Primer by Paule Hjertaas,

This article gives an overview of pesticide health effects and the pesticide situation in Saskatchewan and Canada.

May 17 Organics May Save the World. SNAP Letter to the editor In response to Organic farming won't save world (Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Thu 17 May 2007)

Comments on the Weyerhauser Pasquia-Porcupine 2005 Vegetation Management Demonstration Project Proposal

By Paule Hjertaas; On behalf of Saskatchewan Network for Alternatives to Pesticides (SNAP)
Submitted on June 14, 2005
Addresses forest certification and the use of glyphosate in forestry.

Comments on the Re-evaluation of the Lawn and Turf Uses of 2,4-D - April 22, 2005

Technical comments to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency on their draft decision to re-register 2,4-D for lawn and turf use.
The new re-registration decreases concentration used, frequency of use, and
institutes buffer zones. In fact, it sets up new 'safety' standards for use which no
one will see until new labels with the proper information come out, in 3-5 years.
In the meantime, how safe is it to use 2,4-D according to current labels?
Some of the highlights: 2,4-D was re-registered without data on dioxin contamination, or toxicity data on the more toxic DEA form, present in most lawn care products. Cancer risk data was evaluated using the old EPA standard which considered the
same risk of developing cancer for all instead of the current standard of children below 2 years old being at 10 times the risk of developing cancer. 2,4-D is mostly used in unevaluated mixtures.
Hyperlink to document (24D comments)

In fall 2004, Paule Hjertaas initiated a campaign for reducing children's exposure
to pesticides asking for three things to be included in the Strategy for a Green and Prosperous Economy (www.se.gov.sk.ca/Green/) prepared by Sask Environment for
the Saskatchewan government:
- to ban pesticides in areas where children play
- parent education on dangers of pesticides and their alternatives
- to set up an office of organic farming and gardening

Read the briefing notes submitted to the government of Saskatchewan:

1. Why, given that pesticides are regulated in Canada, is extra protection for
children needed?
2. Why prohibit pesticides in areas where children play?
3. Why do parents need information on pesticide dangers and alternatives to pesticides?
4. Why is an office of organic agriculture and gardening needed?
5. Do measures proposed for inclusion in the Green Agenda create a risk to health and the economy?

The campaign was covered by Paul Hanley in The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon,) Tue 19 Oct 2004: Green and prosperous economy does not include pesticides.

The presentations given at the consultation forums can be viewed here. (Sorry, all the following documents were taken off government sites by the Sask Party government after the election. I am still trying to get the information to relink to)

www.se.gov.sk.ca/Green/Audio.htm

Go to human society and the environment
Dr David Pimentel
www.se.gov.sk.ca/Green/PDF/Human%20-%20Pimentel.pdf

Dr Ray Copes
www.se.gov.sk.ca/Green/PDF/Human%20-%20Copes.pdf

and Pesticide Use by Cameron Wilks of Sask Agriculture and Foods www.se.gov.sk.ca/Green/PDF/Human%20-%20Pesticide.pdf

IPM - Presentation to the Parks and Community Services Committee, city of
Regina about setting up of the Integrated Pest Management Committee for the City
Jan 21, 2004
Hyperlink to IPM definitions-compare

The public will be interested to know that 5 people applied for the two public positions on the committee including two knowledgeable candidates and
myself, all of whom had given presentations in favour of a bylaw. The two
public positions were filled with the other two candidates in an executive meeting with no public minutes. There would be possibility to apply again in the future
for a position on the committee.

Media Reports and Releases