next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
Letter to the Editor: BIOLOGICAL WARFARE?
April 10, 1998
Dear Editor:
Since last summer the forest spraying drums are being beaten.
The proposal is to conduct a massive forest spraying program
this summer against the tussock moth using the biological
insecticide Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki). Of
course the would-be sprayers swear that this particular spray
is "environmentally friendly", "occurs naturally" in the
environment, and is "perfectly safe" to the ecology and
people's health. All these statements are far from the truth.
Here are some good reasons to oppose this forest spraying
with Btk:
1. Btk can cause numerous health problems. There have been
reports of skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems,
nose bleeds, stomach problems, allergic reactions and more.
The spraying with Btk should be of particular concern to
those with chemical sensitivities, those with immune system
problems, and to pregnant women and children.
2. Biological sprays also have chemical additives, such as
surfactants (surface-active agents like stickers, spreaders,
etc.). Therefore it would be more appropriate to call them
biological/chemical sprays. Like in conventional chemical
biocides, these and other "inert" ingredients in biological
controls are usually trade secrets or unknown. Numerous
additives in the past have been shown to be toxic to humans
and nature, and NOT chemically inert.
3. All forest spraying is an unnatural attempt to try and
simplify ecosystems, which ends up making them less resilient
to ecological change.
4. Insects like tussock moths, spruce budworms, and hemlock
loopers have evolved with their tree hosts as integral parts
of forest ecosystems. Insect populations act as a control to
tree densities. Industrial forestry attempts to steer our
forests towards maximum wood volume, so as to attain maximum
economic profit. Hence large clearcuts, herbicide spraying,
and promoting a narrow range of pulpmill-approved softwoods,
which are grown as even-aged insect chow.
5. Forests, if logged, need to be sustainably cut, that is,
maintaining the full ecological functioning of the forest as
a habitat for all species that live there. This is far from
the present situation. It means practising, as a general
orientation, a closed-canopy ecoforestry with selection
cutting. Such a forestry will be self-regulating, without
the need for biological or chemical controls. It means
accepting "wood allocations" for fires and insects.
6. Biological controls are not necessarily host-specific, but
can affect a large spectrum of insects. Btk kills MANY moths
and butterflies.
7. Aerial spraying blankets a wide area. It is biological
warfare against nature. Its effects are felt not just
by creatures on the land and in the air, but also in the
water. Humans, as well as animals that depend on various
insects as food, for example birds and fish, suffer the
consequences. The drift from aerial spraying is a major
cause for concern.
8. Biological agents can reproduce in the environment. Also,
there is the possibility of mutating to more hazardous life
forms and, if transmitted to humans, impacting our health.
9. Biological controls can have contaminants from the
production process which can be dangerous to people's
health. In 1987, in several provinces including Nova Scotia,
forest spraying was temporarily suspended because of the
contamination by streptococcus bacteria of the Btk that
was being used.
10. Those promoting forest spraying are in a conflict of
interest, as their careers are directly linked to the
interests of industrial forestry.
If we and all other species want a future, we must learn
to adjust to the forest, and not the forest to us.
Sincerely,
David Orton,
Coordinator, Green Web
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To contact the Green Web, write:
R.R. #3, Saltsprings
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
BOK 1PO
Telephone: (902) 925-2514
E-mail: greenweb@fox.nstn.ca
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects