Some Canadian consumers are unhappy with a proposed federal plan that would see pesticide use on fruits, vegetables and dairy products sold in Canada harmonized with levels used in the United States.

Concern over health risks is paramount for Patty Nowlin, who owns the Sunnyside Market in Calgary. Nowlin sells only organic, pesticide-free produce at her store.

'I think it's part of the move toward a cheap food policy in a globalized food economy, which I am personally convinced is not the way to increase prosperity for Canadian farmers.'—David Daughton, ECO-P.E.I.

"When we all ingest pesticides our bodies aren't capable to then take nutrients out of food, so pesticides can act like a blocker," she said. "When you have these kids with developing bodies, developing central nervous systems, it's really important that they're getting those nutrients that they need."

Environmentalists including David Daughton, a spokesman for ECO-P.E.I., the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, similarly disagree with the new harmonization proposal. Daughton says the new plan will not necessarily be beneficial to Canadian growers.

"I think it's part of the move toward a cheap food policy in a globalized food economy, which I am personally convinced is not the way to increase prosperity for Canadian farmers," he said.

Changes won't endanger public, regulatory agency says

But Richard Aucoin, chief registrar of Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency, defends the proposed changes, which still must go through a public consultation process. He noted that pesticide limits can be altered without putting the public at risk.

"Some cases we may be raising limits and some cases we might be lowering limits and we would only do that, as I said, if it's fully safe to do so," he said.

The PMRA will perform a risk assessment before any pesticides levels are raised or lowered, Aucoin said.

'I think the Canadian public and the consumption of fruits and vegetables is always going to be watched over very closely.'—Doug Hennigar, farmer

Changes to pesticide use were raised in a 2006 report by the Security Partnership of North America — a security and trade group organized by the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican governments. The report said differences in maximum pesticide limits could be a barrier to trade, spurring the group to press for new, matching regulatory practices.

Doug Hennigar, who grows apples and operates a local farmer's market in Nova Scotia, says he expects the new regulations would allow for easier cross-border movement of fruits and vegetables.

Hennigar also noted that prohibitive costs and strict regulations will likely prevent most farmers from overspraying their fruits and vegetables.

"I think the Canadian public and the consumption of fruits and vegetables is always going to be watched over very closely," he said.

Pesticide use in North America disproportionately high: report

Concerns over pesticide residue levels were raised in October 2006 when the B.C.-based David Suzuki Foundation issued a report suggesting pesticide levels in Canada and the U.S. were out of line with quantities used in Europe. For example, the report said pesticide limits for permethrin on leaf lettuce and spinach were 400 times higher than allowed in Europe.

Health Canada refuted the study's findings, saying that pesticide residues in foods in Canada are minimal and internationally recognized to be within safe health limits.