Alta. Liberals want review of pesticide use

Environment minister defends monitoring

Many Albertans pay a little extra to ensure their fruit and vegetables are free of pesticides. But more and more pesticides are being used in public places. So the provincial government needs to hold an independent review of the situation, says physician and Liberal MLA David Swann.

Pesticide use increased 60 per cent over the decade ending in 2013, he pointed out, citing data released by Alberta Environment.

“We should be using less pesticides, not more,” Swann said in a statement earlier this week. “There are numerous studies that demonstrate a link between some pesticides and their harmful effect on human health.”

Alberta needs stronger regulations on their use, he said. The province must also increase monitoring and enforcing all environment law governing their use.

While there are regulations dating back to an earlier government, Swann said the NDP government is not adequately enforcing them. He cited a report from Pesticide Free Alberta.

“Compliance officers with Alberta Environment are not properly monitoring pesticide applications,” said Sheryl McCumsey, a co-ordinator for the environmental group.

“We have expressed our concerns in meetings with Alberta Environment but it produced no results,” she adds.

Responding to reporters, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips described her department’s enforcement arm as providing “very robust inspection and monitoring and enforcement.”

From her knowledge of southern Alberta’s agricultural industry, she added, “The regulations are well developed and work well with our industry.”

But any group with a concern, she said, is welcome to sit down with department officials and share its views.

“I would be very happy to hear their input.”

Environment department officials confirmed an increased use of the chemicals.

“This is largely because of the increased popularity and affordability of systemic herbicides that Alberta’s farmers use responsibly to kill weeds and protect their crops.”

In particular, they noted, broadspectrum systemic herbicide glyphosphate is being used more to deal with broadleaf weeds and grasses — because its patent recently expired and prices have dropped.

Alberta Liberal party leader David Khan joined Swann in calling on the government to launch an independent investigation of the current system of monitoring and enforcement of pesticide applications. He’s also urging a more transparent process for public complaints when a pesticide applicator is not following regulations.

“Albertans deserve to be fully protected from the misuse of pesticides.”

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