October 12

Subject: Response to your email re: herbicide spraying

October 13, 2004

Thank you for sending me a copy of your email to the Minister of
Natural Resources regarding the herbicide spray program in Cumberland,
Colchester and Kings counties.

The NDP regards environment and public health as issues that should be
top priority on the agenda of the government of this province. Our
Caucus supports efforts to ban the herbicide spray program for several
reasons. I attach a copy of a letter from John MacDonell, our NDP
Natural Resources Critic, sent to the Minister requesting that he stop
the proposed aerial spraying program, copies of our press releases on
the issue and resolutions and questions our caucus introduced in the
legislature on September 23.

Again, thank you for the email. You can be assured that we will
continue to raise this issue and keep it in the forefront until
government bans the program.

Sincerely,

Darrell Dexter
NDP Leader
Leader of the Opposition

cc John MacDonell, NDP Critic for Natural Resources

August 25, 2004

Hon. Richard Hurlburt
Minister of Natural Resources
2nd Floor Founders Square
1701 Hollis Street
B3J 2T9

Sent via facsimile: 424-0594

Dear Mr. Minister,

I write today as the NDP Caucus critic for Natural Resources regarding
your department's plans to spray the herbicide Vision over Crown lands
in Cumberland, Colchester and Kings counties. In this letter I will
address two issues that are weighing on the minds of Nova Scotians, the
safety of the spray being used and the actual need for a spraying
program.

The proposed spraying of Vision over these areas has many people
concerned for their personal health, the health of their families and
communities. Vision's key ingredient, glyphosate, has been linked to
respiratory problems, certain types of cancer, miscarriages and birth
defects as well as the potential for water contamination. While there
are people in the federal and provincial levels of governments who
profess the safety of this product, the evidence to the contrary cannot
be ignored. If any doubt regarding the safety of this product exists
this program must be stopped.

If my understanding is correct, the proposed spray program is to be
carried out to ensure the establishment of softwoods by killing off
competing broad leaf species such as hardwoods and berries. There are
alternatives to spraying. We should be re-examining current forestry
practices used on Crown Lands in Nova Scotia and develop alternatives to
the spraying of chemicals. STORA has stopped aerial spraying in Nova
Scotia and it is time for the Province to follow suit.

Mr. Minister, with the doubts surrounding the safety of the herbicide
and the fact that positive alternatives to the aerial spraying of
herbicides have not being fully explored in Nova Scotia, I request the
proposed aerial spraying program be stopped.

Sincerely,

John MacDonnell, MLA
Natural Resources Critic

Monday, September 13, 2004
The Halifax Herald Limited

Voice of the People

Caution to wind
In a complex world, on issues which seriously affect us, we must often
look to government for leadership and guidance. When it comes to
spraying glyphosate on our forests, all levels of government have sadly
let us down.

Enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act of 1999 there is a
"precautionary principle" designed to protect us. It indicates that
where there is any threat of serious irreversible damage, the lack of
full scientific certainty must not be allowed to stop effective action
to protect human health and the environment. Government is supposed to
err on the side of caution.

In the case of Vision, the chemical giant Monsanto's ironic name for
glyphosate, the government has thrown the precautionary principle to the
wind along with the glyphosate.

There is conflicting science from those for and against spraying.
Monsanto presents toxicological studies showing glyphosate does not
cause cancer, birth defects, mutogenic effects or allergic reactions.
Those opposed point to studies clearly linking it to respiratory
problems, birth defects, miscarriages and cancers such as non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma and that it has been banned in Denmark and Sweden.

Yet, we're going to allow spraying. What's the hurry?

The pro-spray people point to the economic impact on the forestry
industry. But what about alternative silviculture practices? More labour
intensive, they provide more jobs and sustain the ecosystem of the
forest, not just the industry.

To balance health concerns, and for true sustainability, we must err on
the side of caution. To do otherwise is to throw caution to the wind.

John MacDonell, MLA Hants East

John MacDonell (Hants East)
Joan Massey (Dartmouth East)
September 7,
2004

NDP CALLS ON TORIES TO HALT HERBICIDE SPRAYING

Halifax - NDP Natural Resources Critic John MacDonell and NDP
Environment Critic Joan Massey are calling on the Minister of Natural
Resources, Richard Hurlburt, to put an immediate stop to the application
of herbicides planned for several areas in the province.

"The choice is not people or trees," says Massey. "The
issue is the right choice to ensure the safety of the families who live
in the areas that will be sprayed, and the right choice to protect our
forests."

"The evidence is that Vision is not safe and not the only
choice to protect our softwoods."

On August 25th, 2004 MLA MacDonell wrote the Minister of
Natural Resources to request that the proposed aerial spraying be
stopped until positive alternatives to controlling the broadleaf species
that threaten the softwood stands can be explored.

In arguing for an immediate halt to any plans to use Vision,
MacDonell cited evidence that links the key ingredient glyphosate to
birth defects, certain cancers, respiratory problems, and miscarriages.

To date the Minister has not responded to MacDonell's letter.

"The long-term health of our population, and of our forests,
are compatible," says Massey.

"What we need are well-researched and well-considered
approaches not a blind commitment to the first option, and not a
Minister who refuses to listen to those most affected," adds
MacDonell.
-30-

For more information, contact Barbara Emodi at 478-2027.

John MacDonell (Hants East)
September 14, 2004

PROVINCE SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE BAN AERIAL SPRAYING - NDP

Halifax - NDP Natural Resources Critic John MacDonell is calling on the
Minister of Natural Resources, Richard Hurlburt, to ban the aerial
spraying of herbicides from aircrafts.

"The aerial spraying of herbicides from aircrafts is too
risky, and should be banned. When you drop such large quantities of
chemicals at one time, over such a large area there are bound to be
mistakes and that's just not acceptable. There are other alternatives,
and its time the Department started thinking long term and properly
managed our forests," says MacDonell.

"The need to use herbicides is largely determined by the
forest management practices being employed. Less clearcutting would mean
less need to apply herbicides, all it takes is a little common sense and
better planning."

MacDonell was responding to news that Minister Hurlburt planned
to go ahead with aerial spraying in spite of the opposition of local
residents, municipal Councils, and environmental groups.

MacDonell says that the Province of Nova Scotia should be
demonstrating on their own lands the kinds of forest management
treatments that do not require the application of herbicides to achieve
profitable softwood growth.

-30-

For more information, contact Barbara Emodi at 478-2027.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004

The honourable member for Hants East.

RESOLUTION NO. 2252

MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future
day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas herbicide sprayed on Crown lands has the potential to drift
onto land where it is, in all cases, unwanted; and

Whereas many people in Nova Scotia have requested that the government
listen to their concerns regarding the practice of herbicide spraying;
and

Whereas this government has chosen to ignore the people and continues
to endorse the use of spraying herbicides as a legitimate forestry
practice;

Therefore be it resolved that this government get the drift from the
people of Nova Scotia and ban spraying on Crown land.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

I hear a No.

The notice is tabled.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004

The honourable member for Dartmouth East.
RESOLUTION NO. 2254

MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day
I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Denmark banned the herbicide Vision in 2003 after finding that
it didn't break down before reaching groundwater; and

Whereas Sweden banned the substance after two scientists linked it to
the rapidly increasing incidence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma; and

Whereas the Ontario College of Family Physicians published a pesticide
literature review that found consistent evidence of health risks to
patients with exposure to pesticides;

Therefore be it resolved that this government err on the side of
prevention and discontinue the spraying of Vision in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

I hear several Noes.

The notice is tabled.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East.

NAT. RES.: VISION SPRAY PROG. - STOP

MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of
Natural Resources. Last month, DNR announced via tender that it intended
to spray the herbicide, Vision, over 354 hectares of Crown land in
Kings, Colchester and Cumberland Counties. Many people, myself included,
had concerns regarding the product safety and have raised concerns for
health of families and communities. Mr. Speaker, the pro spray areas are
Crown land and that means they belong to the people of Nova Scotia.
Since this program was announced, Nova Scotians have tried to send this
government a message and that message has been loud and clear. Use some
common sense and stop the spray program on Crown land. My question, Mr.
Speaker, is, why is this government not listening to the people of Nova
Scotia?

HON. RICHARD HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for
the question. I feel that Nova Scotians do deserve to hear my comments
on this issue, and my comments are very loud and very clear. I am
listening to all the people of Nova Scotia, and my department has asked
the regulatory bodies, Health Canada to reinvestigate this. He assured
us that this is a safe product. I asked the Department of Health in the
province to investigate this. They tell me that there is no harm to the
health and well-being of human beings. We have excellent forest
management practices in this province, and we are going to maintain
them.

MR. MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker. I don't know if the minister is listening
to everyone, but certainly he does have some comments and I'll table
this article from the Chronicle Herald September 9th, in which the
minister is quoted in reference to the safety of Vision and saying that
he is not a specialist in that field, but that he is listening to the
specialists. I'd like to table this, and also I would like to table a
letter from Dr. Roy Fox who is a specialist in environmental health
issues. In his opinion there are dangers related to Vision's key
ingredient, glyphosate. He asked the minister to protect our health and
the health of our environment. My question for the minister is, if the
minister is listening to experts, why is he not listening to this one?

MR. HURLBURT: I thank the member for his question. I have listened, and
I have listened to Dr. Jeffrey Scott. The health specialist for this
province. I've listened to Health Canada for our nation. I've listened
to other ministers. I just left a national minister's conference, and
this product is being used across our nation and it has been proven to
be safe. We have excellent forest management practices in this province
and we will continue that.

MR. MACDONELL: I guess that the debate about how excellent our forest
practice is will have to wait for another day, but the minister should
be aware that DDT was supposedly proven to be safe, and where is it
today? It is not being used. Trees have been growing in Nova Scotia for
millions of years without the use of Vision. The fact that many of the
trees we are harvesting have never been treated with any herbicide. We
don't have to spray and there are alternatives. My question for the
minister is, will the minister apply the precautionary principle that
says that if there is any doubt, err on the side of caution and ban the
spraying of herbicides on Nova Scotia's Crown lands.

MR. HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, we have 75 per cent of the land mass in the
Province of Nova Scotia is owned by private land owners. We have an
industry that is the second largest industry in this province. We have
to protect that industry. We have to protect Nova Scotians and we have
to protect our environment. We are doing that. We are staying on track
to make sure that there is a sustainable forest in this province for
years to come and for generations to come. We are also looking out for
the industry in this province, and we are going to make sure that that
industry can survive. We've had enough heart aches in the past few years
with the soft wood lumber dispute. We are working to make sure that that
industry will be here for years to come. That is rural industries in
this province.