Margaret Miller, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment, was interviewed this a.m. about glyphosate spraying of forests on CBC’s Information Morning (Fri, Sep 16, 2016).
Two managed woodlots in Nova Scotia, the herbicide option at left: it’s poorly adapted to climate change and more flammable and much less supportive of biodiversity than the multi-aged, mixed woodlot at right.
She said glyphosate has been used on our forests for 30 years. It was re-evaluated by Health Canada in 2015 and deemed safe when used a directed. Twelve permits were issued this year; she didn’t know the total area, but over 3000 ha was mentioned in the introduction to the interview. It’s all on private lands and is not paid for by government as it once was.
Connolly asked about the permit process. Landowners must apply to the Dept. of Environment for use of specific products and are required to follow steps to mitigate risks, such as setbacks from wetlands, and not spraying within ½ km of residences. Signs are posted adjacent to the sprayed areas 48 hours before spraying. The department conducts random audits of the spraying process and looks for evidence of drift. Continue reading →
