GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

John Bachman · 30-09-2007, 09:41 AM posted to rec.gardens

On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:30:25 -0000, wrote:

Hello,

I am hoping someone can give me some valuable info here. We are about
to move to a farmhouse that has a canola farm which surrounds us
almost entirely. The farmer uses Roundup. I have heard about the
dangers of Roundup - particularly to pregnant women. I am wondering
what we can do to prevent ourselves from exposure. We would get water
via a well. Should we avoid it? We also have 3 cats that we wanted to
let roam outside. Is this a bad idea?

Thank you.

If the farmer follows all of the procedures specified by the law and
policies of your area (you did not tell us where you are) then you
should have no problem. That may or may not be a big "if".

I would contact the farmer and express my concern. Ask him what
pesticides he uses and what his procedures are. Ask him to notify you
on days that he will be using pesticides near your home so that you
can personally monitor the application. If your monitoring gives you
concern then address them with him and the local agricultural
authorities.

All of the farmers that I know in my area, (southern NH) would welcome
such a discourse with their neighbors and would be as concerned as
you.

JMHO

John