WASHINGTON D.C. – Dow AgroSciences Canada has agreed to voluntarily phase out most in-and-around-the-home uses of chlorpyrifos (Dursban) products in Canada. Voluntary withdrawal of these use patterns aligns with the recent agreement between Dow AgroSciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The stated goal is to achieve pesticide harmonization consistent with the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"While the safety of chlorpyrifos products, when used as directed, has been thoroughly demonstrated by extensive study and 30 years of use, we are honoring the request of [Canadian officials] to implement the same phase out of chlorpyrifos as in the U.S.," said Rick Smith, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences Canada.
In Canada, the residential use patterns affected will be phased out according to the same timelines as the United States. Sales of Dursban products will continue until existing stocks are depleted, with retail sales occurring until Dec. 31, 2001.
This article was reprinted with permission from the American Nursery & Landscape Association’s Oct. 23, 2000 issue of the ANLA Update. For more information about the ANLA visit its web site at www.anla.org.