Chemical Scare Tactics Anger Farm Groups

GUELPH - Mar 26/04 - SNS -- Efforts by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) to link the use of manufactured chemicals with cancer rates has angered a farm group in Ontario, which has taken the unusual step of attacking the messenger -- the newswire service Canadian Press (CP).

In a complaint before the Ontario Press Council, the little known AGCARE (Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment) is charging CP with "promoting false and misleading information" regarding the contribution of environmental factors to cancer rates in Canada.

A March 4 article contained statements by CCPA that man-made chemicals are largely responsible for "soaring cancer rates" in Canada in recent decades.

"The allegations made in the report are simply not borne out by the facts," said Greg Hannam, chair of AGCare (Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment). "The Canadian public deserves better from the journalists they rely on to provide accurate and accessible information."

AGCARE's press release states: "According to information gathered by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, cancer death rates for both men and women and cancer incidence rates for men have dropped in the last 15 years. From 1988 to 2003, overall death rates for Canadian men dropped by 12% and for women by 3.1% (13% if increased lung cancer rates among women, resulting largely from lifestyle choices, are excluded). Canadian Cancer Society officials claim that at least 50% of cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyles,"

AGCARE adds, "Farmers' responsible use of effective pest control measures, including chemical pesticides, helps to ensure the availability of the affordable, high quality produce essential for a healthy diet."

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