82.4 Restriction on the use of Certain Chemicals (Pesticides)
Whereas, There exists a steadily growing minority of individuals, in particular children, who have developed serious sensitivities to chemicals such as pesticides used in homes and gardens and for agricultural purposes and forestry; and,
Whereas, Pesticides used in homes and gardens are frequently inadequately labelled regarding their use in a domestic setting; and,
Whereas, Pesticides used for agricultural purposes, forestry, and in the domestic setting are known to leach into the water table and other sources of community drinking water; and,
Whereas, Little is understood by the medical community or the public of the cumulative and synergistic effect of chemicals on human health and development; and,
Whereas, There is an urgent need to differentiate between the use of pesticides in an urban setting, and economic necessity of their use for agricultural purposes and forestry; be it,
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to exert more control over the use of pesticides by:
- The encouragement of the use of known alternatives to pesticides used for agricultural purposes, forestry, and in the domestic setting;
- The development of regulations restricting the use of pesticides for which there are known alternatives;
- The promotion of maximum child protection with regard to pesticides available for home and garden use, through more closely regulating the labelling of such products by stipulating that manufacturers define the hazards associated with the use of the product and emphasize the need for caution with regard to children and childbearing women;
- The initiation of a program to alert the public regarding the hazards involved with the indiscriminate use of pesticides in homes and gardens.