MEDIA ADVISORY – Croplife Canada available to comment on proposed pesticide bill
TORONTO, May 9 – CropLife Canada will be attending the provincial legislature Monday to observe second reading of Ontario's proposed pesticide bill.
Dr. Lorne Hepworth, president of CropLife Canada, and Mr. Peter MacLeod, vice-president of chemistry, will be available to speak with the media after second reading debate.
"We are hoping science will play a very big role in determining the final outcome," Hepworth said. "Any pesticide sold in Canada has already undergone a comprehensive scientific review and risk assessment by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that is based on sound, internationally recognized science. Only those products that meet Health Canada's strict health and safety standards are registered for sale and use."
"We are concerned that unfounded fears about pesticides will trump science," MacLeod said. "That would be a real loss to Canadians because pesticides serve several very important purposes, such as helping to control threats to human health including mosquito-borne diseases, weed-induced allergies, as well as asthma from insect and invasive weed infestations."
CropLife Canada is the trade association representing the manufacturers, developers and distributors of plant science innovations – pest control products and plant biotechnology – for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings. CropLife Canada will be submitting formal comments on the proposed legislation to the Ministry of Environment to ensure that the views of its members are considered.
For further information, please contact:
Kristina Fixter
CropLife Canada
P: 416-622-9771, ext. 224
Cell: 416-471-7200
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