26 - Friday, October 9, 1987 - North Shore News se of pesticide Roundup defended ] HOPE none of you are offended by the following use of this column as a personal platform, but I feel strongly about its subject and, as it does relate to gardening on the North Shore, | feel justified in taking the liberty. I wish to take exception to the letter of Mr. Lioyd Manchester, which appeared in this newspaper last Friday; it concerned the use of the herbicide Roundup on the BC Rail right-of-way. First, I wish to point out that I have no shares in any pesticide companies, nor do I receive free tickets to ball games or Hockey Night in Canada. In fact, in the past year of writ- ing this article, I have yet to receive any bribe attempts what- soever; at times I think no one re- ally cares. The tone of Mr. Manchester's letter was courteous, non-ag- gressive, and truthful. ‘Then what’s the beef?’’, you may ask. over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson Well the complaint is not with what was actually said so much as with what was implied, and [ do not believe in guilt by implication. To imply that Roundup’s ‘59 per cent ... unknown ‘inert’ ingre- dients’’ is something to fear is un- fair; testing has established them to be inert, therefore non-interac- tive with our environment. If there are some questionable materials, then their existence should be named, not implied. Yes, the lab that originally pro- vided the tests required for regis- tration of this product was cited for falsifying data; but Agriculture Canada asked for and received new, bona fide test results before allowing the product to be regis- tered for home use. To equate glysophate (the active ingredient in Roundup) to such hazardous chemicals as DDT, Chlordane, 2,4,5-T, and other banned products, is a typical scare tactic. These products were in- troduced at a time when testing was in its infancy if done at all. In these days of the electronic microscope, genetic engineering, and an awareness of carcinogenic potential, government researchers have the tools necessary to ensure the safety of our environment. If Mr. Manchester has a specific concern relating to Roundup’s tox- icity, carcinogenic potential, or its effect on the environment I would be deeply grateful if he would br- ing them to light; but to infer that a product is dangerous because it is a chemical is unjust. Water, after all, is the chemical H20. I wish to point out, I too am in favor of using mechanical means to eliminate BCR’s weed problem. I have always stated that pesticides should be used only when reason- able attempts have been made to do without them. I will also state that in my opi- nion, Roundup and all other pro- ducts containing glysophate are very safe when used in accordance with label directions. 1 would much rather see the public resor- ting to this herbicide than more dangerous products such as para- quat, 2,4-D, mecoprop, dicamba, M.C.P.A., and other similar pesticides. Before I close this week, I would like to tell you about winter pan- sies. No better flower could be us- ed over the dreary months ahead to brighten prominent flower beds and planters. After planting your spring flowering bulbs, plant these about 12 to 14 inches apart in full sun (or areas that will be in full sun after leaf drop). As with your bulbs’ require- ments, the soil should be well drained, moderately rich in humus, but without an abundance of ma- nures. Try te find the true Winter Pan- sy (viola heimalis) rather than the Swiss Giants (viola x wittrockianna ‘Swiss Giant’), which are common- ly substituted. 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