July 11, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Bt Spray in Protected Water Supply Areas

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, stated today that he is pleased to announce that most of the municipal councils affected by a proposal to spray Bt on the forest land within their protected water supply area have decided to allow the program to proceed. Departmental officials along with representatives from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper; Community Health Western; the Department of Environment and Labour, and the Bt Supplier, Abbot Laboratories, met with the affected councils on July 2 and 3 to discuss the spray program and its possible effects on their water supply areas.

Based on the presentations made and the answers provided to questions concerning the health and environmental risks, most of the affected councils have now responded favourably to having the forest area within the protected water supply sprayed with the biological Bt. Mr. Tulk stated the department will now make every effort to protect the areas in question but there is already significant damage to balsam fir in most areas affected. His department will now attempt to limit this damage with a view to keeping as much of the tree cover alive as possible for future use.

The minister indicated his department appreciated the opportunity to inform the councils as to the impacts of a Bt spray and acknowledges the participation of the various representatives from within and outside of government for their candid input to the concerns raised.

The minister said: "I agree with those who say spraying should not be forced on people, that is why we held the consultations. It is obvious that once people got the necessary information they realized that spraying with Bt is entirely appropriate to save our forest resources for the benefit of all our people." He also acknowledged that in future the licencing process will have to allow for more lead time in order to address the concerns of affected municipalities and other interest groups. This will have to be a matter for further discussion between himself and the minister of Environment and Labour, Kevin Alyward, who issues the pesticide licence to the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods.

The minister concluded: "Also, I want to congratulate officials of my department for their tremendous effort to inform the people concerned; and, their complete candidness in the whole process." Contact:

• Gerald Fleming
  Corner Brook
  (709) 637-2349

  Anna Buffinga
  St. John's
  (709) 729-3750