Fruit and vegetable growers are at risk of losing their most
effective fungicides almost immediately and soon after that many other
significant pesticides.
The federal government’s Pest Management Review Agency is
reviewing registrations now and Craig Hunter is urging growers to take the time
and trouble to complete a survey organized by the Canadian Horticultural
Council.
The deadline is May 15.
Hunter is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable farmer
advocates on pesticide issues and works for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.
The government re-evaluation system is based on an
accumulation of risk points.
Hunter is drawing particular attention to the 25 points that
are automatically assigned for worker exposure to plant surfaces that have been
sprayed.
He lists the many common practices that have changed in the
30 years since those automatic 25 points were assigned.
If farmers can demonstrate that exposures have declined, it
could make a significant difference, perhaps lowering the scores to about five,
Hunter says in his regular column published in The Grower newspaper for fruit
and vegetable growers.
For example, workers no longer go into fields for hand
weeding, precision planters means they no longer go in to thin crops, modern
irrigation systems mean they don’t go in to move pipes, tractors have cabs with
charcoal filters and often only a percentage of harvests are done by hand.
Orchard pruning and grapevine training are done before
leaves emerge and spraying begins.
Modern gloves are much more comfortable and protective than
30 years ago.
“All of these factors are important on every horticultural
product we grow,” writes Hunter.
“That is because data may be needed to defend the continued
use and reasonable re-entry times for scouting or harvest activities for
virtually every pesticide we use.”
Hunter ends his column: “We are at bat and we need a home
run. Please. Can you help hit the ball out of the park?”
