The Plain Dealer
Periodical profile published 1976

Publisher:  The Plain Dealer, Fredricton, Canada
Year Published:  1976
Pages:  24pp   Price:  $0.25   Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX128

This feature discusses the use of DDT and fenitrothion to kill spruce bud worm in New Brunswick.

Abstract: 
The feature traces the poisonous effects of aerial spraying DDT and fenitrothion for spruce budworm. Included are documented cases of the ill effects and citizen protest against the New Brunswick government and the National Research Council. Premier Hatfield said a committee would assess the effectiveness of the spray program but health hazards would not be considered. In 1970, Dr. Cooper, an advocate of chemical spraying and managing director of Cyanamid of Canada - the company manufacturing fenitrothion was chosen to head a committee set up by the National Research Council to measure pesticides within the human and physical environment. This was at a time when fenitrothion was neither registered in Canada or the U.S. but was being sprayed in N.B. There are reports on government cut-backs and centralization of schools and hospitals; the formation of the Rusty Ford owners' Association of New Brunswick which plan court actions on behalf of its 1200 members. The editorials express a policy that attempts to give people a say in determining their society by encouraging them to speak out. There are a series of articles about ordinary working people, their lives, views and hopes. There is a good report on female alcoholics in Fredericton. One page is devoted to reproducing sections from Butler's Journal: a controversial publication that came out of Fredericton from 1889-1914.