Nak'azdli and Canfor lock horns over pesticide use

The Nak'azdli First Nation is heading to court in an attempt mto overturn a decision by the B.C. Environmental Appeal Board that will allow Canfor to continue the use of pesticide spraying on Nak'azdli traditional territories.

The band says that the widespread practise among its people of using the land to gather food and traditional medicines and for hunting has placed them at high personal risk .

"We must bring a stop to the needless use of these pesticides," said Chief Leonard Thomas. Studies have shown that exposure to glyphosate and the link between MSMA (a pesticide used to control the mountain pine beetle) and cancers have our people very concerned."

Canfor has said it plans on using a highly controversial pesiticide, Vision, on timber stands in the region.

Thomas has cited a several medical studies he says illustrate a direct link between the esposure to Glyphosphates such as Vision and non-Hodgins Lymphoma-a form of cancer.

"The use of such chemicals on our lands infringes upon our rights and have our people questioning the safety of the food they gather from the land, " said Thomas.