Canola Oil

[Guest guest]

Dear Nerys,

Great! Nothing more I like than a debate on my favourite

" Windmill " ...

It has been found (I will find the quote if you like) by an independant

Research Authority, that more Herbicides and Pesticides are being used

on Genetically engineered Crops.

In fact, the bollweevil was not such a problem until Pesticides were

used as the Pesticides killed off the predators of the boll weevil.

Now,, the Genetically engineered cotton crops are being threatened by

STINK BUGS who LOVE the Genetically Altered crops. Perhaps we should

eliminate ALL bugs????(JOke)

But, back to Canola Oil - as more Pesticides are used on most GE

crops than normal crops and as Organic Crops use NO Pesticides, then I

am against ALL Genetically Engineered Crops.

My reasons for not using Pesticides are in the following article. I

live inFlorida. Already there is enough Pesticides in our Aquifer to

take 25 years to get rid of. The water is fast becoming a Poison. Not

only to us but to the Fauna and Flora upon which we depend for our

existence.

Here is the article on some of the FACTS of Pesticide use.

The Organic Consumers Association has the goal of converting a

substantial amount of our land to Organic Farming. It can be done. But

it will take determination by us all.

ARTICLE:-

===========================================

P A N U P S

Pesticide Action Network Updates Service

===========================================

Cancer-Causing Pesticide Use Rising in California

 

May 3, 2000

 

PANNA Report Shows Total Use Remains Alarmingly High

 

Use of cancer-causing pesticides in California has more than doubled

in the past eight years, up 127% between 1991 and 1998, according to

a report released by the Pesticide Action Network North America

(PANNA). Since 1996, use of carcinogens has remained within 0.5

million pounds of the highest level ever reported, with no downward

trend in sight. The report, Hooked on Poison: Pesticide Use in

California 1991-1998, was released by the statewide coalition

Californians for Pesticide Reform. The coalition was joined by

cancer and health organizations and physicians who signed a joint

letter to Governor Davis calling for leadership to end the use of

carcinogenic pesticides.

 

Between 1991 and 1998 more than 1.5 billion pounds of pesticides

were applied in California including agricultural and

non-agricultural uses. Hooked on Poison finds that total reported

pesticide use rose 40% between 1991 and 1998, and that over the last

three years, use has remained at alarmingly high levels. These use

patterns show no trend toward decreasing dependence on toxic

pesticides.

 

Approximately one-third of pesticides used in 1998 are known to be

particularly toxic to humans. These pesticides are classified as

acute poisons, carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive or

developmental toxins or are known to have contaminated groundwater

in California. Use of these most hazardous, " California Bad Actor "

pesticides rose sharply between 1991 and 1998 from 50.4 million

pounds to 63.9 million pounds, peaking in 1995.

 

The total pounds of pesticides used on California cropland increased

51% between 1991 and 1998 -- from 129 million pounds of active

ingredients to 195 million pounds. During this same time period, the

number of acres planted remained approximately constant. The result

was a dramatic increase in intensity of pesticide use--up 60% from

14.4 to 23 pounds per acre. One quarter of all pesticides used in

the U.S. are applied in California, even though planted acreage in

the State represents only 2-3% of total U.S. cropland. Crops that

have the highest intensity of pesticide use are strawberries, dates,

sweet potatoes, pears and lemons.

 

Use of pesticides outside of agriculture is extremely difficult to

estimate. Only 7% of reported pesticide use falls in this category;

however, pesticide sales data indicate that many more pounds of

pesticides are applied but not reported. This gross underestimate is

due to the fact that there are no requirements to report consumer

pesticide use (estimated to be about 20% of total use) and some

institutional and manufacturing uses. Non-agricultural applications

of pesticides are of particular concern because they are applied in

close proximity to where large numbers of people live and work.

 

The report finds that government agencies have no coherent,

long-term strategy guiding growers and other users to transition

their pest control practices to least-toxic approaches. It

recommends that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation

and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take a proactive stance to

reduce pesticide use, including the following elements:

 

* Phaseout use of the worst pesticides, including carcinogens, acute

poisons, reproductive and developmental toxicants, neurotoxins and

pesticides that are known to contaminate California groundwater.

 

* Increase funding and grower support for a transition to

least-toxic pest control.

 

According to PANNA, state and federal agencies currently have an

" inadequate, haphazard patchwork of programs and regulations to

promote alternatives--but pesticide use trends show these efforts

aren't nearly enough. PANNA calls for a comprehensive plan to

research and promote sustainable agriculture. "

 

The report analysed data from the California Department of Pesticide

Regulation annual pesticide use reports from 1991 to 1998, the

latest year for which data is available. The Pesticide Use Reporting

system tracks use of pesticide active ingredients used commercially

in agricultural and urban applications. It does not include consumer

or most institutional uses of pesticides.

 

Copies of Hooked on Poison: Pesticide Use in California 1991-1998,

are available from Pesticide Action Network North America at (415)

981-1771. Free to California residents; US$10 for all others. The

report is also available at http://www.panna.org.

 

Source/contact: Pesticide Action Network North America.

 

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and

reporting on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the

mainstream media. It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North

America, a non-profit and non-governmental organization working to

advance sustainable alternatives to pesticides worldwide.