Behind the Lines - May 2014

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Neonicotinoids are generally recognized as the most widely used pesticide group in the world. Arguably, they are also the most controversial, banned in Europe for two years while studies were conducted into their safety.

A similar ban is being sought here in Canada. Rightly or wrongly, the cost-effective seed treatment, used to protect germinating and emerging corn and soybean crops from pests such as wireworm and grubs, is being blamed for killing or weakening bee colonies, an often ignored but important part of modern agriculture and ecological bio-systems.

In this month's cover story, starting on page 14, field editor Mary Baxter describes the debate about neonicotinoids and their potentially chronic environmental impact as "contentious, divisive and highly political," pitting farm groups against each other with each side touting studies that support their position and too seldom seeking solutions.

As is often the case, writing about technologies becomes a learning experience for the writer.

Baxter notes that the lesson learned in this story, "which applies far beyond this issue, is how carefully one has to consider the design of a research study. These studies are only as good as their context, and if you try to interpret them out of context, confusion and misunderstandings creep in."

Also dissecting a controversial subject in this issue is contributor Susan Mann. Starting on page 47, she explains the supply-managed Canadian dairy industry's "eight-element plan" to replace increasing imports of specialized milk protein powders with domestic products made from fresh milk.

The imports have been taking a bigger and bigger chunk of the dairy market in cheeses, yogurts and also in the growing market for protein bars, meal replacement powders and sports supplements. Imports have been hitting the dairy industry for years and it's not the first time that the industry has tried to halt them. However, the problem is clearly becoming more critical. As Dairy Farmers of Canada's executive director Richard Doyle notes: "We're getting to a point where we can't fail anymore."

Poultry processors and transporters are another group that can't afford any further failures. On page 36, writers Mary Baxter and Matt McIntosh reveal how a tough three-year probation order arising from charges laid about five years ago has sparked an industry-wide review of animal welfare practices. Chicken Farmers of Canada is reacting, too, because of an inference in Judge Nancy S. Kastner's decision that Canada's supply management system conflicts with good animal welfare management. BF

ROBERT IRWIN & DON STONEMAN