The state Board of Pesticides is expected to decide by October 23 whether to reg

Source

Portland Press Herald

Date

8-15-1994

Pages

3B

Abstract

The state Board of Pesticides is expected to decide by October 23 whether to regulate or ban the use of the pesticide Velspar on Maine's wild blueberry barrens. The pesticide, credited with having tripled Maine's blueberry yields from an average of 20 million pounds a year to 60 million pounds a year, is now being found in water supplies in Franklin and Hancock counties. Some critics have attempted to link the use of Velspar with the high rate of breast cancer in Hancock County and with the the destruction of clams and salmon Down East. Proponents deny there is evidence to support such claims, and they maintain that a ban on Velspar would devastate the state's $100 million blueberry industry.

Subjects

Blueberries, Herbicides, Water pollution

Full text is not available here. Please contact the Library for a copy of the article.

Share

COinS