New Brunswick Spraying: When And Why?

There is growing concern and opposition to the spraying of glyphosate and other herbicides in New Brunswick, Canada. Glyphosate is a herbicide commonly used to control weeds and other vegetation, and it has been classified as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the state of California. In New Brunswick, glyphosate is used by government agencies, the agriculture and forestry sectors, and NB Power to control unwanted vegetation and increase yield. While Health Canada has approved the use of glyphosate, there are ongoing debates and concerns about its potential health and environmental risks. Environmental activists and citizens in New Brunswick have been advocating for a ban on glyphosate spraying, citing issues such as potential health hazards, habitat destruction, and the loss of wildlife and biodiversity. Despite some reductions in herbicide spraying announced by the provincial government, critics continue to call for a complete ban. The debate around glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick remains ongoing, with ongoing efforts by advocacy groups like Stop Spraying New Brunswick to raise awareness and push for policy changes.

The use of glyphosate in New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, glyphosate is predominantly used by government agencies, the agriculture and forestry sectors, and NB Power. The spraying of glyphosate began in the 1970s when natural forests were cleared, and softwood plantations were developed. The active ingredient in the herbicide mixtures used is glyphosate, which has been classified as a "probable carcinogenic" by the World Health Organization and the state of California. Additionally, Quebec has banned its use on Crown land, and California has listed it as a cancer-causing chemical.

There has been opposition to the use of glyphosate in New Brunswick, with groups like Stop Spraying New Brunswick advocating for a ban on its use. They argue that the spraying of glyphosate has ecological and economic repercussions and that the government should invest in manual silviculture and careful logging practices instead. The group has gained support from three political parties in the province, including the Green Party and the NDP, who have made election promises to end the spraying of glyphosate.

In 2019, the New Brunswick government announced a 30% reduction in the use of glyphosate along NB Power transmission lines and a promise of future regulations. However, critics argue that this is not enough, and an outright ban on the herbicide is necessary. The government has also been criticized for a lack of transparency and collaboration between political parties to address the issue.

In conclusion, the use of glyphosate in New Brunswick remains a highly contested issue, with ongoing debates between those concerned about its potential health and environmental impacts and those who argue for its necessity in controlling vegetation and increasing yield. While there have been some efforts to reduce its use, the topic continues to be a significant point of discussion and controversy in the province.

The impact of spraying on wildlife

The spraying of pesticides has a detrimental impact on wildlife, affecting a wide range of species, from insects to mammals. Pesticides are designed to kill insects, but they also harm bees, birds, earthworms, hedgehogs, frogs, fish, and plants. The effects of pesticides on wildlife include:

• Mortality and reduced reproduction: Laboratory and field tests have shown that pesticides can lead to mortality in frogs and toads. Pesticides have also been linked to reduced reproduction in birds, with a study of grey partridges finding that herbicides played a significant role in their decline.
• Disruption of food sources: Pesticides kill plants that are sources of food and shelter for wildlife, leading to pressure on species to relocate, alter their diet, or starve.
• Toxicity: Pesticides can be toxic to soil-living organisms, including earthworms, which are vital for soil health and the recycling of plant material.
• Habitat loss: The indiscriminate and excessive application of pesticides can lead to habitat loss for wildlife, as natural habitats are converted into industrial monocultures.
• Bioaccumulation: Pesticides can bioaccumulate in the environment, leading to increased concentrations in the food chain. This can result in higher levels of exposure for top predators, such as birds of prey.
• Endocrine disruption: Certain pesticides are endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the hormonal systems of wildlife, leading to reproductive abnormalities and developmental issues.
• Behavioural changes: Exposure to pesticides can alter the behaviour of wildlife, impacting their ability to survive and reproduce. For example, in birds, exposure to certain pesticides can impede their ability to sing, making it difficult to attract mates.
• Loss of biodiversity: Pesticides contribute to the loss of biodiversity, as they cause a decline in species diversity, particularly in aquatic environments. This, in turn, can affect the food sources available for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.

Health concerns and risks to humans

The spraying of glyphosate-based herbicides in New Brunswick, Canada, has been a cause for concern for many citizens and environmental groups, who have highlighted the potential risks to human health. The primary health concern regarding the use of glyphosate is its potential link to cancer. Bayer, the company that produces glyphosate, has faced numerous lawsuits, with cancer victims claiming that exposure to the herbicide caused their illness. These lawsuits have resulted in multimillion-dollar payouts to those affected.

In addition to the concerns about cancer, there are worries about the impact of glyphosate on the environment, which could have indirect effects on human health. Glyphosate is known to affect beneficial insects, bird populations, and freshwater ecosystems. This, in turn, impacts other wildlife that depends on these food and shelter sources. The reduction in biodiversity caused by glyphosate spraying can have far-reaching consequences for the ecosystem and, subsequently, human health and well-being.

The New Brunswick government's decision to continue using glyphosate-based herbicides in its Crown forestry management has been met with criticism from citizens and environmental groups. They argue that the government has failed to adequately address the potential harm to human health and the environment. Over 35,000 New Brunswick residents have expressed their desire to eliminate glyphosate from their forests, food, and water.

Despite these concerns, Health Canada has approved the continued use of glyphosate, stating that it is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans at current exposure levels. However, environmental groups have challenged this decision, claiming that Health Canada's assessment is based on outdated evidence from 2017. They worry that at the current rate of scientific updates, it could be decades before the potential risks of glyphosate are thoroughly investigated again.

The debate around the health risks of glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick remains ongoing, with citizens and environmental groups pushing for a ban, while the government defends its decision based on Health Canada's approval. The potential risks to human health, particularly the link to cancer, remain a significant concern for many.

Political responses and actions

The use of herbicides in New Brunswick, Canada, has been a contentious issue for several years, with various political responses and actions. The Stop Spraying New Brunswick (SSNB) group has been at the forefront of campaigning against the spraying of herbicides, particularly glyphosate, in the province.

In 2018, SSNB registered as a third party in the provincial election, allowing them to put up billboards and publicize their concerns. They have also collected tens of thousands of signatures protesting the use of herbicides and have the support of three political parties: the Green Party of New Brunswick, the NDP, and the People's Alliance.

In 2019, the provincial government announced a reduction of 30% in the spraying of glyphosate along NB Power transmission lines and a promise of future regulations. This was a step in the right direction for critics, but they continue to call for an outright ban. The government also stated that it would reduce its reliance on glyphosate in protected wetland and watershed areas.

However, despite these promises, the Premier Blaine Higgs's Progressive Conservative government received a failing grade from SSNB in 2022 for its inaction on implementing the recommendations presented by a legislative committee in November 2021. The committee had called for greater restrictions on glyphosate use, including increasing spraying setbacks from dwellings, protected areas, water, and wetlands, and banning pesticide spraying in protected watersheds. The committee also recommended that NB Power phase out the use of herbicides altogether.

The Green Party of New Brunswick, led by veteran environmental advocate David Coon, has consistently pushed for an end to herbicide spraying in the province. Coon has expressed disappointment that the legislative committee's report ignored concerns about the infringement of Indigenous and treaty rights raised by First Nations representatives during the hearings.

In March 2024, SSNB delivered letters to New Brunswick MLAs, asking them to publicly commit to a ban on herbicide spraying on public forests and NB Power corridors, to restore deer wintering yards, and to protect 30% of the province's public forests by 2030.

Overall, while there have been some political responses and actions towards reducing or banning herbicide spraying in New Brunswick, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the concerns of citizens and protect the environment.

Public opinion and activism

The group has also initiated letter-writing campaigns, with citizens sending letters to their MLAs expressing their concerns about the impact of herbicide spraying on wildlife, fish, birds, and forestry jobs. They have also highlighted the successful example of Quebec, which has managed its forests without the use of herbicides for the last two decades. In addition to public advocacy, there has been legal action, with several lawsuits alleging that glyphosate poses health risks, including potential carcinogenic effects.

Some political parties have responded to these concerns, with the Liberals and Greens pledging to stop glyphosate spraying on public land if they form the government. However, critics argue that these promises need to be accompanied by concrete action and collaboration between parties. The provincial government, for its part, has announced a reduction in glyphosate spraying along NB Power transmission lines and in protected wetland and watershed areas, but activists maintain that an outright ban is necessary.

The debate over glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick continues, with ongoing public and activist pressure for more stringent restrictions or a complete ban on the practice, coupled with calls for greater transparency and collaboration from the provincial government and political parties.

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