By: Beyond Pesticides

Beyond Pesticides — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:54:43 +0000

Dear Kat,
We agree that pesticides are never the answer to problems associated with “invasive” or “non-native” species. In fact, there is a lively debate within the scientific community concerning whether or not it is appropriate to mount campaigns against these “opportunistic” species. Are these species a problem because they do not do what we want them to do? Or are they a clue and response to a disturbed ecosystem? Beyond Pesticides has a program page dedicated to “Ecological Management of Problem Vegetation” here : http://www.beyondpesticides.org/weeds/index.php. On that site we provide links to various ecological approaches to managing problem vegetation. We believe that by considering the ecosystem as a whole and maintaining and encouraging biodiversity, the resiliency of the natural environment can be strengthened against an intrusion of what we term problem vegetation. In any case, pesticides and herbicides surely pose a greater threat than the problems they are meant to solve.

If you have any additional questions please call us at 202-543-5450, or email us at info@beyondpesticides.org.

By: Kat Reid

Kat Reid — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:44:07 +0000

Not to be a curmudgeon here, but most so-called “restoration” and “conservation” programs actually require the use of pesticides as part of their protocol for “restoring habitat”, i.e. “eradicating” non-native species/invasives so that the more “pristine” native species may grow. For those of us who have bothered to follow th emoney trail on these “invasives” and restoration grants, you’ll see that most of this newfound zeal for native plants and restoring waterways dates back to 1999 and Bill Clinton’s signing of Executive Order 13112 on Invasive Species. At first blush, the cause sounds liek it may be environmental, but a closer look reveals the truth. Do you know who petitioned CLinto (repeatedly) to sign that Executive Order (fyi-Exec Orders are not subject to COngressional Review)? Monsanto Exec-Nelroy Jackson. Clinton not only signed the Exec Order; he formed a National Invasive Species Council and put Monsanto Execs at the helm. He also allocated $1 BILLION of taxpayer money to “fight the war” on invasive species. Sound a little like overkill? It is. I challenge each of you to look behind the curtain of any restoration or “invasives” eradication effort in your neighborhood or state park. I guarantee you that you will find that a whole bunch of pesticides are being used for that program. WHy is that? Monsanto set in place a bureaucracy that ensures that grant recipients prescribe pesticide products as part of their “cost-effective” solution or else risk not being funded. Think I’m paranoid-check the facts for yourself.

Comments on: Oregon’s Department of Agriculture Looks to Protect Waterways from Pesticide Runoff

By: Beyond Pesticides

By: Kat Reid