Railway pesticides safe and are properly applied

The following letter to the editor appeared in the September 9 edition of the Guelph Mercury:

In response to the Aug. 28 article about a pesticide ban called for along Guelph’s railway tracks, city residents should rest easy knowing that the pesticides being used to control the weeds along the tracks are safe.

These products are regulated by Health Canada, which is one of the most respected regulatory agencies in the world. Before being approved for use, each pesticide is thoroughly studied to ensure it does not pose a risk to either humans, animals or the environment when used according to directions. Furthermore, the professionals who apply pesticides to the areas around railways use specialized equipment to eliminate the chance of any drift.

Keeping railways clear of unwanted weeds is an important part of ensuring the safety of train operators and passengers. Excessive vegetation can restrict visibility at crossings, damage the track, hinder track safety and create potential fire hazards.

Canada’s plant science industry is committed to developing products that serve as safe and effective tools for controlling unwanted vegetation that may pose health and safety risks, and we welcome questions about our products.

Erin O’Hara

President CropLife Canada

Ottawa