Concerned Parents Group
Organization profile published 1981
http://www.connexions.org/Groups/Subscribers/CxG1784.htmYear Published: 1981
Resource Type: Organization
Cx Number: CX2325
Inactive/Defunct Organization
The Concerned Parents Group was formed in 1976 when research done in Nova Scotia showed that New Brunswick's unusually high rate of Reyes syndrome might be linked to the province's massive aerial spray program.
Abstract: The Concerned Parents Group was formed in 1976 when research done in Nova Scotia showed that New Brunswick's unusually high rate of Reyes syndrome might be linked to the province's massive aerial spray program. Reyes syndrome is a rare and often fatal children's disease.
Since the formation of the group, the area encompassed by the spray program has been reduced from 10 million acres to 4 million; also a law has been introduced prohibiting spray within a one-mile area of human habitation. The Departments of Health and Environment are now involved, particularly through the Pesticides Advisory Group.
Concerned Parents has been research-oriented but finds it difficult to reach the broader public with complex scientific concerns. Media response to the efforts of the groups has surfaced the spray program as a key issue in New Brunswick. The group, however, has encountered difficulties making inroads in the French-speaking areas.
The group has found its efforts to deal with violations of pesticide regulation by proper legal channels to be very expensive, in terms of both money and effort. The group is currently petitioning the Federal government to change certain laws which protect the spray agencies because of their crown status.
The group has been urging the New Brunswick Medical Association to take a position on this issue, but with no success as yet. The group also has a number of flyers and briefs available which provide more information on the spray issue.
