The Report of the Newfoundland Medical Association Committee
(formed to review the medical aspects of the Spruce Budworm epidemic and control program.)

Publisher:  Newfoundland Medical Association
Year Published:  1981
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX2324

The Newfoundland Medical Association Committee was formed to review the health aspects of the Spruce Budworm Control Program; its report was submitted to the Newfoundland Medical Association in 1979.

Abstract: 
The Newfoundland Medical Association Committee was formed to review the health aspects of the Spruce Budworm Control Program; its report was submitted to the Newfoundland Medical Association in 1979. Within the committee, there was some disagreement about the conclusions drawn from the data and analyses. These differences are expressed in the "minority report" which follows the main presentation contained in the report.

The "majority report" concludes that the loss of forest and subsequent loss of employment is a greater threat to the health of the Newfoundland population than were the hazards of the Spruce Budworm spray program. The "minority report" concludes that the present Spruce Budworm epidemic would not cripple the forest industry to the extent presented by the "majority report." The "minority report" expressed concern about the health hazards of long term human exposure as well as the effects on the environment.