MLA believes herbicide spray application is a done deal
An application by Northern Pulp to spray a controversial herbicide on some Colchester County forests is all but a foregone conclusion, a local MLA says.
“I think that they have already likely made up their minds that they would approve this,” said Lenore Zann, regarding an application by Northern Pulp in Pictou County to spray 1,314 hectares of woodland in Colchester and Halifax counties with VisionMax, a herbicide that contains 49 per cent glyphosate as its active ingredient.
“However, I don’t think they were expecting us to come out of the woodwork the way we did.”
Zann’s comments came following a meeting she had Tuesday with Nova Scotia Environment Minister Margaret Miller.
Also present were Truro Mayor Bill Mills, Millbrook Chief Bob Gloade and Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor, who like Zann, are opposed to the spray application.
Northern Pulp had hoped to begin spraying by Aug. 25. However, a department spokeswoman said on Wednesday that a decision has not been made on the matter.
The company wants to conduct the spray program to promote the growth of softwood trees, to the detriment of hardwood species. It has said it believes the spray is not harmful to the environment, humans or animals.
And Northern Pulp also said the spray will not be used within a kilometer of any residential areas.
However, given that the World Health Organization has identified glyphosate as a “probable” human carcinogen, Zann is opposed to its use unless it can be proven otherwise.
And she said the way the government and the company have dealt with the application leaves much to be desired.
“There was no consultation done on this and none of the municipalities was given a head’s up, or me, by anybody from the government or anybody from the pulp company,” she said.