LAWSUIT DROPPED, COMPROMISE ACHIEVED
Avis Antel
In April 2006, Quebec enacted the third and final phase of its Pesticide Management Code, which gave Quebec the toughest standards in North America at that time. With a ban on 20 active ingredients including 2,4-D, many lawn-care products became unavailable to the Quebec market. Since then, other provinces have followed suit.
American chemical manufacturer Dow AgroSciences proceeded with its threatened lawsuit against the federal government seeking a repeal of Quebec’s ban on lawn pesticides containing 2,4-D and at least $2 million in damages, also claiming that the ban contravened the North American Free Trade Agreement. The suit contended that the ban is not based on science and should have been re-examined after the federal Health Canada pest-management regulatory agency had declared 2,4-D safe if used as directed.
In May of this year, giant Dow AgroSciences dropped its lawsuit against Quebec’s province-wide ban of 2,4-D. Both sides claim victory – Dow agreed to stop fighting the ban and the government issued a statement that the chemical is safe to use as directed. The following statement is taken from the FAQs on Health Canada’s website in answer to the question, “Is it safe to use the herbicide 2,4-D on my lawn?”:
“Following extensive consultation and scientific review using the most current scientific methods, Health Canada has determined that 2,4-D meets Canada’s strict health and safety standards, and as such can be used safely when label directions are followed. Health Canada’s review concurs with the findings of regulators in other OECD countries including the United States, the European Union and New Zealand, and the World Health Organization.”
Consumers are the true winners, however. Bans on the chemical affect most of Canada and 80% of Canadians now live in areas where 2,4-D is illegal for use on lawns and gardens.
BCAM Bulletin, Volume 17, No.3 Fall 2009.
SafeLawns.org/blog. Posted Friday, May 27, 2011.
http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2011/05/dow-chemical-drops-24-d-lawsuit/