Dow to sue over Quebec pesticide ban

[CHIMO]

Source: Globe and Mail

Claiming 'no scientific basis' for residential ban, U.S. company demands $2-million (U.S.) in damages under NAFTA's Chapter 11

Dow AgroSciences LLC has decided to sue the federal government over Quebec's ban on the residential use of pesticides.

The U.S.-based company, maker of the herbicide 2,4-D, is claiming $2-million (U.S.) in damages, using controversial provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement that allow businesses to sue governments over regulations that harm their interests.

The case has attracted wide interest because so-called cosmetic pesticide bans are becoming increasingly popular, with Ontario recently following Quebec's lead in introducing one and many retailers removing chemical bug and weed killers from their shelves.

Some environmental groups have been pointing to the possibility that Dow would launch its legal action as a reason for renegotiating the Chapter 11 provisions in NAFTA that allow investors to seek compensation over government regulations.


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