To the Editor:
Last week, I spoke to a representative regarding farmers spraying fields. I find that spraying is getting out of control, spraying for bugs, funguses and desiccating. In the August 21 issue of the St. Paul Journal, there was a mention in the article on bertha armyworms that quoted someone as saying: “Whatever people may be spraying, there should be good communication between farmers and their neighbours.”
I live in the back nine subdivision in St. Paul and part of my entertainment is to watch people golfing and enjoying recreational entertainment. The other evening, I was preparing supper and heard an airplane flying over the house. The first thing I did was close every window in my house to protect the health of myself and my family. People don’t know how toxic and dangerous this stuff is, so I take precautions and close my windows and don’t allow my kids outside, even though the weather is great and a little fresh air wouldn’t hurt. The golf course follows regulations that state it has to allow a buffer zone between the course and any yard along the golf course, so they don’t spray the weeds in the “out of bounds” area unless they approach the residents that live next to the golf course. Shouldn’t the same apply to farmers spraying their crops neighbouring on the town?
When I picked up the Aug. 28 issue of the St. Paul Journal, I read a letter that pointed out some very interesting facts. The letter writer pointed out that: “Transport Canada states that when using an airplane to spray, pilots must stay 2,000 feet from any town, a reasonable distance from any “built up subdivision.” This aircraft was definitely closer than the allowed and legal 2,000 feet.
The letter writer also stated of Lorsban 4e that one of the chemicals in the spray “is not to be used in and around homes or other residential areas such as parks, schools grounds...playing fields...” I found it so mind-boggling that people were golfing and a plane was going back and forth spraying right next to the golf course. These people are enjoying a game of golf and being pestered by toxic spray. This also affects those that live in St. Paul town limits. These people should be approached by farmers and be warned about the spraying going on - going back to the article from the Aug. 21st issue of the St. Paul Journal: “Whatever people may be spraying, there should be good communication between farmers and their neighbours.”
I realize farmers are allowed to protect their investments, but would you at least make a compromise and implement a no fly zone around town boundaries, protecting residents a little bit more? If you implement a no fly zone and a “direct spraying” with ground sprayers-only policy, this would at least decrease the amount of airborne toxins. This would be a great solution, due to the fact that this chemical is toxic and is a known health risk and should not be airborne. Every day, I ask myself and others: “Why is spraying getting so out of control?”
Don’t these people realize that this is entering our food chain and affecting other things around us, such as wildlife and bees? People should open their eyes and start voicing their opinions; this is a huge issue that should be addressed. I have a reason for concern and this problem should be addressed as soon as possible.
Emilie Labrie
St. Paul
