Critics, industry respond to glyphosate report

The release of a muchanticipatedreport on the controversialherbicideglyphosate has drawncontradictoryresponses from industry and critics.

• Glyphosate report shows no increased health risk: Dr. Jennifer Russell
• Health report on glyphosate sought by environmental group

The report, released byDr. Jennifer Russell, the acting chief medical officer of health, saidthat while there were still several unknowns surrounding glyphosate, there is no need for moresafeguardsfor those whowork with the herbicideor for the general public.

"New Brunswick does have some different use patterns compared to the rest of the world," saidRussell.

"Butexposures toglyphosateare expected to be similar to, or less than, elsewhere. So no additional actions to protect public health in New Brunswick arewarrantedat this time."

However,that conclusion is not asatisfying one for severalenvironmentalgroups.

Itconfirms our worst fears.- Tracy Glynn, CCNB

"There are moresociallyresponsible ways of doing silviculture in our forestry industry," said TracyGlynn, forest campaign directorfor the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

"Weneed to move towardsthose21stcenturypractices," she said.

"Itconfirms our worst fears that New Brunswick is [using glyphosate], more than any other province, at a more intense rate in forestry," said Glynn.

The report stated that glyphosate usage in the province bucked the trend incomparisonto the rest of Canada, due to its heavy use in forestry.

Forestry represented61 per centof glyphosate usage in New Brunswick. Industrial usage made up 27 per cent, agriculturaluse represented 11 per centand landscaping wasfiveper cent.

The Council ofCanadianswas alsocriticalof the findings.

"For New Brunswick to conclude that there is no risk is premature," wroteAnn Pohl,the chairpersonfor theKent Countychapterof theCouncilof Canadians.

"In fact, the report only says there is no evidence of increased risk of cancer for those working in the forestry spray industry.

"It is also important to note that this report released todaydoes not address themanyrisks associated with themanyother scientifically-highlighted concerns about glyphosate herbicide compounds," she said.

Industry responds

The province's largest forester, J.D. Irving,offered a limited response on the reports findings.

JDI values the opinion of scientific experts on this issue.- Mary Keith, JDI

"JDI values the opinion of scientific experts on this issue," wrote company spokesperson Mary Keith.

ForestNB, aforestindustry group, voicedsupportfor the report's findings.

"It is important that we have at our disposal the safe andresponsible tools necessary to sustainably maintain our forests and remain competitivein challenging global markets," saidexecutive director Mike Legerein an email statement.

NB Power, uses the herbicide to clearfoliagefrom underneath transmission lines throughout theprovince. It has previously stated the use of glyphosate to maintain those lines is "absolutelynecessary."

On Friday, Deb Nobes, spokesperson for NB Power, saidtheutilitywould reserve its opinion for now.

"Thanks for the opportunity to comment but we are going to read and digest the report before making any immediate response," saidNobesin an email.

'This changes nothing'

Residents who were at thecentreof a spraying controversy remain unconvinced.

Wayne and Cheryl Webb of Wirral, N.B., say they had the glyphosate sprayVision Maxdrift through their open bedroom window while an NB Power transmission line was being treated.

There are an awful lot ofcontradictivereports.- Cheryl Webb, Wirral,N.B.

They say the report does little to sway their opinion of the herbicide.

"There are an awful lot ofcontradictivereports," said Cheryl Webb.

"So what are you supposed to believe? But I would alwaysbelievein the side ofsafety for my health and my family's."

"This changes nothing."