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Debunking myths about pesticides

Dear editor, Re: Prevent pets from licking pesticides off their paws this spring.

Dear editor,

Re: Prevent pets from licking pesticides off their paws this spring (Comox Valley Record/Campbell River Mirror Midweek, May 8).

Pets are an important part of the family so I can understand why homeowners want to ensure the products they use to protect their lawns and gardens where their pets enjoy spending time are safe.

Unfortunately, a recent article perpetuated a number of myths about the safety of pesticides used to protect lawns and gardens.

Readers should know that before any pesticide can be sold in Canada, it must first be approved by Health Canada. This process involves a comprehensive set of over 200 tests and a review of all scientifically credible studies that exist to ensure that the product will not cause harm to people, animals or the environment.

Through this process pesticides receive a greater breadth of scrutiny than any other regulated product and only those products that meet Health Canada's strict health and safety standards are registered for sale and use.

In fact, pesticides are used to protect pets from fleas as well as to help control threats to human health (such as rats and mosquitoes), protect private and public properties from pest infestations and they help ensure that Canadians have a safe and affordable supply of food.

As a trained veterinarian, I'm confident that homeowners can use pesticides to protect their lawns and gardens safely without causing any harm to pets.

Lorne Hepworth, DVM

Editor's note: Lorne Hepworth is the president of CropLife Canada.