HALIFAX – Federal government lethargy is giving free rein to the forces that want to clamp more restrictions and regulations on crop production, grain industry executives told the Canola Council of Canada annual convention.
Meanwhile, the federal government recently did an outstanding job of defending Canadian livestock, they pointed out.
“A good example of risk communication – and hats off to Ag Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – is the BSE issue,” said Lorne Hepworth of CropLife Canada, which represents the major multinational agricultural pesticide manufacturers.
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“I mean, the consumption of beef went up. Hello, the rest of Health Canada.”
Hepworth and Agricore United chief executive officer Brian Hayward criticized the federal government for inadequately supporting Canada’s national science-based approval and regulatory system.
The lack of strong support is causing a festering of issues about subjects like genetically modified organisms and pesticide application.
Hepworth said regulatory red tape is getting worse for the agriculture industry because provinces and municipalities have begun stepping into the void with their own plans for regulations.
“Halifax is a good example of this,” said Hepworth in an interview.
The city in which the canola council met has banned the use of lawn care pesticides, even though the city conducts no health testing and plays no role in assessing the safety of pesticides.
“It’s regulated by Health Canada. It’s OK by the provincial government. But the city says we can’t use them.”
Hepworth said Halifax’s ban is not a big deal for his organization’s members, but it could be the sign of a dangerous trend.
The same goes for genetically modified organisms. Recently the Quebec and Prince Edward Island provincial governments have discussed introducing their own GMO regulations.
Such overlapping complications could bog down agriculture and would waste resources that could be used for more important issues.
“If we start having a municipality, a city, a province start taking financial resources and time and appropriating that against lower and lower risk, duplicating what’s already being done, it’s not a good use or resources,” said Hepworth.
Every penny spent on city or provincial regulation of pesticides or GMOs is a penny not spent on combating obesity, smoking or any other more legitimate health concern, Hepworth said.
