Concern About Use Of Pesticides

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32298, 16 May 1970, Page 1

Concern About Use Of Pesticides

(New Zealand Press Association? TIMARU, May 1-5. The Soil Association of New Zealand was deeply concerned that severely toxic substances were being used in grass grub control as an alternative to the proven hazard of D.D.T., the president of the association (Mr R. S. Macarthur, of Blenheim) said in Timaru today.

“Since its inception 30 years ago the association has bitterly opposed the use of all chemical pesticides. And, more specifically, D.D.T. was first opposed in 1954,” he told the association’s annual conference. “At that time our numbers were regarded as cranks and fanatics of the ‘lunatic

fringe.’ It is unfortunate that it has taken 16 years to prove us right. "Our concern is that instead of chlorinated hydro carbons, even worse chemicals of the organo-phosphate group are now being used." He said grass grub could be adequately controlled without serious effects in pasture growth by adopting an ecological approach to land use “The association feels that if a fraction of the money devoted to chemical anoliea tion and research were devoted to the widespread promulgation of the proven results of the organic-cum-eco-logical approach, the grass grub problem, with its vicious effects on wildlife, human health, and pollution, would be rapidly overcome,” he said.