Do aerial herbicides threaten our forests?

NEWS RELEASE

CAROL HUGHES, MPP

************************* Forests must be protected: Northern Ontario New Democrats demand investigation into use of toxic herbicides ELLIOT LAKE - Responding to concerns from constituents, New Democrat MPs Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) and Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) are demanding an investigation into the current use of Glyphosate Aerial Herbicides.

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide used to kill competing vegetation.

The threat of disastrous environmental effects is high.

Many area residents are concerned and report seeing little or no wildlife in areas that have been sprayed.

Acute symptoms of glyphosate exposure in humans include, destruction of red blood cells, lung dysfunction, low blood pressure, kidney damage, erosion of gastrointestinal tract, dizziness, fever and nausea.

A study of Ontario farmers, found that those using glyphosate had an increase of miscarriages and premature births within their family.

Also, glyphosate has been shown to disrupt hormones that regulate oestrogen synthesis, important reproductive hormones that have also been shown to have a role in bone growth and testicular function.

When Glyphosate-based herbicides are sprayed aerially, the risk of producing vegetation monocultures increase substantially. Unintended side-effects include, killing particularly susceptible amphibious creatures, beneficial insects and other unforeseen ecological damage.

“Also at risk are local wilderness outfitters," said Hughes. “If our federal and provincial governments fail to listen to the concerns of locals who see these changes first-hands, our natural habitat and their livelihoods are at risk.”

Nickel Belt MP, Claude Gravelle echoes Hughes’ sentiments and adds, “Conservation is our most important task. The public is entitled to know what goes into the chemicals sprayed on our forests and what the effects on the environment are. Our environment is our future and it must be protected.”

Both MPs are calling on the federal and provincial governments to launch an investigation on the effects of aerial spraying of Glyphosate based herbicides.

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