11 January 2019
FREDERICTON, NB –
On January 11, 2019, Health Canada issued a statement that objections raised over glyphosate could not be scientifically supported when considering the entire body of relevant data.
Health Canada also states there is no pesticide regulatory authority in the world that currently considers glyphosate to be a cancer risk to humans at the current levels of exposure. To ensure an unbiased assessment of the information, Health Canada selected a group of 20 of its own scientists who were not involved in the 2017 re-evaluation to evaluate the notices of objection.
“This is reassuring news for the agriculture and forestry sectors,” says Mike Legere, executive director, Forest NB. “This is just one of many tools that foresters use as part of an effective and efficient way to manage the forest. More importantly, we want to know and ensure our practices are safe and have minimal environmental impact.”
Glyphosate has been used and tested for safety and environmental impacts for over 40 years. The process reviewed all relevant scientific research regarding glyphosate from around the world.
Ninety per cent of all glyphosate used in Canada is used by farmers and the agriculture sector on more than 70 different food crops.
Forestry’s use of this Health Canada approved product involves rigorous planning including buffers and water protection, certified professionals, and permits by the Department of Environment.
More information on Health Canada’s statement can be found here, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2019/01/statement-from-health-canada-on-glyphosate.html
Forest NB is the New Brunswick Forest Products Association, representing forest product manufacturers in dealings with government and the public. Forestry employs 24,000 New Brunswickers through sustainable management of our renewable forest resource.
CONTACT:
Mike Legere
Executive Director/Directeur executif
Forest NB / Forêt NB
mlegere@forestnb.com
506-452-6930
