The Quebec government’s ban on the cosmetic use of herbicide 2,4-D may face a challenge from the chemical’s U. S. maker under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Dow AgroSciences plans to argue in a “Chapter 11” challenge that Canada breached its NAFTA obligations when Quebec in 2003 announced it would phase in a ban on residential, cosmetic use of 2,4-D and several other pesticides by banning their application and sale.
Quebec’s ban does not apply to 2,4-D’s sale or application for its registered agricultural uses.
Read Also
New crop insurer policy enables easier startup for faba beans
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation updated its normals for faba beans, which may open the door for more Canadian producers to feel comfortable growing the pulse crop in the future.
The province’s ban, Dow said in a release, “went into force on April 3, 2006 despite the government of Quebec’s own advice that there was no scientific basis for this ban.”
Dow said it made “numerous attempts” to work with the province in using a “science-based, transparent policymaking framework” for the decision affecting 2,4-D.
Dow said it seeks a C$2 million settlement, plus legal costs.
“This challenge is aimed at ensuring that important public policy decisions are based on scientific evidence, predictability and a clear set of principles, and are managed within a transparent framework,” said Jim Wispinski, CEO of Indianapolis-based Dow.
“The actions of the government of Quebec are tantamount to a blanket ban based on non-scientific criteria, and we are of the view that this is in breach to certain provisions of NAFTA,” he said.
“We don’t welcome this step, but feel it is necessary given the circumstances.”
By that, the company meant regulators in Canada, the U. S. and Europe have all reviewed 2,4-D “on the basis of modern science and concluded that it is safe for use according to label instructions.”
Dow, in its release, recounted Health Canada’s May 16 announcement that its Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) “extensive review” on 2,4-D found the product can be used “safely according to label directions” for many lawn, turf and ag applications.
Among other ongoing agrelated NAFTA Chapter 11 challenges against Canada are GL Farms of Delaware, which claims Canada is “arbitrarily and discriminatorily interfering” with its milk marketing business, Ontario’s Georgian Bay Milk Co., which seeks to export milk to the U. S. via dairy farms outside Canada’s supply-managed system.
In another Chapter 11 case, Connecticut-based Chemtura Corp., formerly known as
Crompton, is challenging Canada’s ban on the use of lindane-based seed treatments in canola crops.
