| ________________
CM . . .
. Volume IX Number 8. . . . December 13, 2002
This 25 minute video was created by a PEI resident to raise awareness of an environmental issue she feels is being played down by government and those directly involved in potato farming, the main industry that drives the Island economy. Having chosen Island living for its idyllic image, (there is no local pollution source from industry) Sylvie Dauphinais has found the most densely populated province has the highest rate of hospitalization for asthma in the country, with children being particularly at risk. The major cause, she believes, is the toxic pesticides in constant use by potato farmers who are under pressure from corporations demanding high yields and a top quality product. Golf course and residential lawn pesticide use is also cited as contributors to the problem. The film opens with black and white footage of soldiers in WWI trenches under attack from poisonous gas. The link is made to chemicals that resulted from post war research; some believe those pesticides in use today are responsible for cancer, hormone disruption, birth defects, decreased IQ, and brain damage as well as respiratory ailments. Large fish kills have occurred from run-off in Island rivers, and some rivers have been declared dead. Several residents are interviewed in the video (subtitles are used for Francophone comments); one vows to urge her children to leave the Island once their schooling is finished. The problem has escalated since the early 80s as the previously diverse agriculture, considered healthier from an environmental aspect, has given way to monoculture with its ever-increasing need to spray for insects and blight. The film is somewhat sympathetic to farmers who appear to be caught in the middle of controversy and are the most visible targets for blame. One states that safety regulations are inconvenient and largely ignored; it isn't always possible to wait for calm days to minimize drift on to school yards, homes etc. Few "enforcers" are employed by the government. The film does not offer specific sources of data and few statistics, relying largely on personal interviews. One brief government response, that they "don't know the cause" of the high hospitalization rates, is immediately followed by another clip of war in the trenches. In the short time span, however, the case is made for every community to become involved in the growing debate on this issue. The topic has also been the subject of a recent CTV W5 program. Recommended. Living in BC, Gillian Richardson is a freelance writer and former teacher-librarian.
To comment
on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal
use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any
other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE
- December 13, 2002.
AUTHORS
| TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS
| PROFILES
| BACK ISSUES
| SEARCH | CMARCHIVE
| HOME |
