FREDERICTON, September 2nd, 2020-The Agricultural Alliance of NB opposes the Liberal party, Green party, and People’s Alliance of NB’s stance on banning glyphosate usage.
If the next elected government takes the course toward banning glyphosate, this decision will deeply affect a wide variety of New Brunswick farmers who grow crops such as potato, fruit, vegetable, cereals, pulse, corn, canola and soybean.
Products such as glyphosate are some of the most important and safest tools available to growers today for crop management. The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory (CPMRA), along with other regulatory authorities such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, the European Food Safety Authority have all thoroughly studied glyphosate and come to the same conclusion: glyphosate use does not increase cancer risk.
The agriculture industry is at the heart of our rural communities creating thousands of jobs in the primary and the value-added food sectors. Employment in 2019 reached to 4,180, and food manufacturing added another 5,245. Farmers across our province work tirelessly to feed communities at the local, national and international level by providing safe and high quality food. New Brunswick producers are the original stewards of our land and the health of the environment, their families, their employees and consumers are of highest concern to the agricultural sector. We stand behind the risk-based science process of the CPMRA and others in their findings that glyphosate use does not pose a cancer risk. We urge government to use a science based decision approach when considering any changes to the use of glyphosate in the province.
It is important to note that any individual handling a non-domestic pesticide must obtain a Pesticide Applicator Certificate through a comprehensive course and exam that covers pesticide legislation, pest management, environmental impacts, application technology, safety, emergency responses and labelling.
For farmers to remain competitive in the world market and support your local economy, we need access to the most effective tools to manage weed, insect, and disease problems that can threaten the quality, value, and quantity of our crops. Farmers across the province are increasingly concerned that potential decisions, like this one, are being made in haste and are creating an environment of unpredictability that reduces growth and investments in our sector.
Contact:
– Lisa Ashworth, AANB President (506) 452-8101 www.fermenbfarm.ca
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