| Alberni Environmental Coalition | On-Line Library |
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PESTICIDE INFO BELONGS TO PUBLIC Unfortunately, the editorial says, state Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel isn't so sure. While he sees merit in sharing data gathered from a proposed state pilot project on pesticide use with medical researchers and government agencies, Brancel is inclined to think the specifics, including locations where pesticides are applied, should be kept confidential. He fears such information could be misinterpreted or even deliberately misused by irresponsible groups, running the risk that innocent parties could be harassed and the public unnecessarily alarmed. The editorial says that some states that already have such databases,
including New York and Oregon, provide such confidentiality, as Brance points out. Fair enough. But we're far more inclined to side with officials
from Citizens for a Better Environment, the Wisconsin Strategic Pesticide
Information Project and the Wisconsin League of Women Voters. They argue, far more convincingly, that making such information readily available to the
public does greater good in the long run, especially because of the toxic nature of the pesticides. Besides, much of that information is already
available - lawn care companies, for instance, are required to post signs when they apply pesticides, even at your house or your neighbor's. So much
for confidentiality. A task force on pesticide use is now considering how to set up a database and whether to keep the information confidential. The
group meets today. It's an easy call. Why should taxpayers pay for the state to collect important information such as this and then be denied the right
to see it for themselves? |
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