
See PANUPS updates service, for complete information. Take Action Now! Ask Minister Bechard to keep the Pesticide Code intact! The Pesticide Code of Quebec has two main objectives:
These are the primary guidelines the government is using in evaluating pesticides in their environment. Additionally, the code promotes alternatives to pesticide use, and supports funding and research for information and "consciousness-raising tools." The provisions as stipulated enable the government to:
To this end, the Act establishes mechanisms requiring most pesticide users and vendors to comply with a system of permits and certificates and empowers the government to impose rules for pesticide storage, sale and use. A pesticide classification process also makes it possible to adjust regulatory requirements according to the risks that these products represent for public health and the environment. The Pesticides Act defines a pesticide as follows: "any substance, matter or microorganism intended to directly or indirectly control, destroy, mitigate, attract or repel any organism that is injurious to or noxious or troublesome for humans, animal life, vegetation, crops or any other object, or intended for use as a plant growth regulator, except a vaccine or medication other than a topical medication for external use on animals." These pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, phytocides, fungicides, rodenticides and any other product, except medication, used to control harmful organisms. There are some exemptions from the Pesticide Act, including mechanical or physical devices that do not contain an active ingredient, such as organic mulch, sticky fly strips, insects that might be used as a predator or parasite in pest management, ingredients used for swimming pools, aquariums, or treated drinking water, air cleansers, disinfectants, detergent additives, vaccines or anti-pest medication for human use or non-topicals for external use on animals. Pesticides have been found in the bodies of pregnant women, amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord and the placenta, in the meconium of newborn babies and in mother's milk. A recent Quebec study found pesticides in the bodies of children. Of the children tested, 98.7% were contaminated with pesticides. Among the pesticides found was the herbicide 2,4-D. There has been an effort to remove 2,4-D from the code. The people of Quebec are urging the New Minister of Environment to:
Resources: Environmental Defence www.environmentaldefence.ca Caracterisation de l'exposition aux pesticides utilises en milieu residentiel chez des enfants Quebecois ages de 3 a 7 ans. http://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/319-CaracterisationPesticidesEn Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides - www.cap-quebec.com Pesticide Products to be banned in Quebec:http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis/code-gestion/a1-interdit-classe3.pdf http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis/code-gestion/a1-interdit-classe4.pdf Pesticides Management Code http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis-en/code-gestion-en/code-enbref.htm#schedule1, http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis-en/code-gestion-en/index.htm
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