Environmental groups have revived
a lawsuit against the federal government because the Health Department changed
its mind about reviewing the safety of difenoconazole, usually used as a
seed-treatment fungicide.
The rules say Canada must
undertake a review whenever a nation that’s a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) bans a pesticide.
Norway banned difenoconazole
because it’s toxic to fish and probably accumulates in the food chain.
The Pest Management Review Agency
decided against a review because treated seed can be imported.
"The special review ... is no
longer required," said a letter from the agency to Ecojustice, which is
leading in the lawsuit.
The decision to stop the review of
a fungicide used on cereal, oilseed and vegetable crops violates the
government's own legislation, said Lara Tessoro, a lawyer for Ecojustice, the
firm acting for several groups behind the lawsuit.
"The duty on the government
is to assess all the products containing the ingredient."
