In todays Guardian, Ashley Greencorn makes some brilliant observations on the ever-present and growing pesticide issues. Farmers could help own cause. Editor: It seems virtually everyone is concerned about pesticides being used here on P.E.I. for what it is doing to fish, water and people, especially when we hear about things like fish kills, leaky sprayers and farmers spraying in high winds. Videos surface on YouTube that clearly show violations and letters to the editor pour in from both sides. Farmers and the P.E.I. Potato Board seem to be taking the stance of “us versus them.” What I simply cannot understand is why the farmers and potato board, instead of launching an aggressive media campaign, as they publicly announced, haven’t instead come out in opposition to those who are breaking the law? If they truly feel most farmers are doing what they are supposed to, then why not come out in support of groups who want to identify farmers who use sloppy practices? The actions of these few may well be ruining the reputation of all farmers, but when you choose to align yourselves with them, we as the public assume all of you use the same practice or you wouldn’t be defending those who are clearly violating the laws. I would love to see farmers insisting Janice Sherry get to the bottom of the recent (and for that matter, last year’s) fish kill and implement laws that will prevent this from happening in the future. Farmers who are true stewards of the land should want laws that protect the land. When farmers change this practice of defending all farmers regardless of circumstance, the whole dialogue stands to change. Ashley Greencorn, Summerside
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:50:46 +0000