June 17, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Minister responds to concerns about insect control program

Environment and Labour Minister Oliver Langdon today responded to concerns expressed by certain environmental groups about the use of the chemical insecticide Dylox to control infestations of balsam fir sawfly in western and central Newfoundland.

"During the environmental assessment process, I heard from a number of concerned groups and individuals and today, in Corner Brook, some of those concerns were expressed again," said Minister Langdon. "I want to assure people today that those concerns are being addressed."

The minister said he is confident that the stringent terms and conditions of the operator's license will ensure the safe application of Dylox during the aerial spray program this summer.

Included in those conditions are expanded buffer zones around water bodies, the requirement to use helicopters to apply Dylox for any spray blocks which contain water bodies requiring 200 metre buffer areas, and pre-spray reconnaissance flights will be flown over spray block areas to identify all water bodies visible from the air which may not appear on the maps.

In addition, the dosage rate of Dylox will be significantly reduced in this year's program, and expanded environmental effects monitoring programs will be undertaken to confirm last year's results.

Five monitoring reports and one efficacy study on dosage rates were considered in the environmental assessment process. The songbird, fish and snowshoe hare reports confirm what previous studies have shown, that Dylox does not cause significant impact upon these animals, said Minister Langdon.

In addition, no trichlorfon levels, the active chemical ingredient in Dylox, were detected in the Cabin Water study. "We intend to continue this study this year, and will expand it to include public water supply areas as well as cabin water supply areas to ensure public confidence in the quality of the water supply," said the minister.

The Aquatic Impacts study by Environment Canada indicated trichlorfon was deposited in the two water systems studied. However, data was collected only for a short period of time and evidence of its environmental impacts is inconclusive.

"This study should be viewed as a snapshot of an occurrence in two small areas only during last year's spray program," said Minister Langdon. "This year, the study will be expanded to include control areas, increase the number of water bodies in the study and collect data over a longer period of time."

"The department is committed to thorough review, comprehensive monitoring and study, and strict controls to ensure environmental protection is maximized," said Minister Langdon. "I believe this year's aerial spray program has been thoroughly reviewed and that it will be done in accordance with strict safeguards to protect public health and the environment."

Interested individuals may obtain a copy of the Pesticide Operators Licence, which outlines the terms and conditions required of the Department of Forestry and Agrifoods, by contacting the Department of Environment and Labour c/o Pollution Control Division, West Block, Confederation Building, P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6, or by phoning (709) 729-2555.

Dylox has been approved for use by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada for a wide variety of applications since the 1970s. It has been applied to food crops, wood lots, rights-of-way, and to Christmas trees.

Media contact: Sean Kelly, Communications Director, (709) 729-2575.

1999 06 17                       4:30 p.m.