Ontario charges on with pesticide ban in spite of NAFTA 2,4-D challenge
28 Oct, 2008 LM Direct!TORONTO — The Canadian Press reports that Ontario won't back down from its plan to prohibit the cosmetic use and sale of weed killer 2,4-D despite a NAFTA challenge to Quebec's pesticide ban, Ontario's environment minister said Tuesday.
"The NAFTA challenge in and of itself - or potential NAFTA challenge - won't have any effect on whether we think we're doing the right thing," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen.
"It's all about protecting kids playing in their own yards or other properties."
Dow AgroSciences, a unit of Dow Chemical that manufactures 2,4-D, filed a $2-million notice of action against the federal government in August.
The company alleges that Quebec's ban on 2,4-D violates Canada's obligations under NAFTA because it prohibits a product without any scientific basis.
Dow bases its claim, in part, on a Health Canada ruling this year that found 2,4-D can be used safely according to label directions.
Environmental and health groups that support Ontario and Quebec's pesticide bans dispute Dow's claim, saying studies have linked 2,4-D to serious illnesses like cancer.
Click here to read the entire article in The Canadian Press.
"Ban on pesticides may face NAFTA test," globeandmail.com, Oct. 22
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