Health Canada is investigating after Canada's National Observer revealed that government officials supported efforts by the pesticide industry to discredit a researcher's findings and overturn a proposed ban on a class of pesticides harmful to bees, the environment and human health. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May pressed the government to respond to the Observer's story, which showed that civil servants colluded with pesticide manufacturer Bayer to discredit water quality data collected by Christy Morrissey, a University of Saskatchewan professor. Her research was part of the basis for a proposed neonicotinoid (neonic) ban in 2016. Responding to May's question, Yasir Naqvi, parliamentary secretary to the health minister, said the ministry takes the allegations seriously and the department’s pest management regulator will examine the concerns raised. Morrissey confirmed she has been summoned to a meeting with the senior directors general of Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). She said, "None of this is in a timely manner. It has taken three years and a media story to get them to address it." National Observer

 

 

A new study shows frogs (physalaemus gracilis) exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide in early developmental stages suffer malformations of the mouth and intestine, cardiotoxicity, oxidative stress, and impairments in anti-predatory behaviour. The authors comment, "Our findings demonstrate the dangers of unsustainable agriculture, based on chemicals that are highly dangerous and toxic to the environment. The current food production model needs to be rethought, only then we will be meeting the SDGs and preserving life on the earth." They also write, "(T)he concentrations assessed in this study are within the limits permitted for drinking water worldwide and have already been detected in bodies of water. This raises concerns about the need to review the regulations governing pesticide use and release." Scientific Reports

 

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