International Anti-toxics Groups Urge Canadian Government to Resist Industry’s Challenge of Pesticide Ban

A group of international anti-toxics organizations, including the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), urged the Canadian government to resist a $100 million claim by the Crompton Corporation under NAFTA Chapter 11. The claim follows Crompton's voluntary surrender of its registration for lindane, a persistent organic pollutant used in canola seed treatment. The organizations argue that NAFTA's investor-state mechanism is being used to undermine legitimate public health and environmental regulations.

• The Crompton Corporation filed a Notice of Intent to claim $100 million in losses from the Canadian Government using the NAFTA Chapter 11 investor-state mechanism. This action follows the corporation's voluntary agreement to stop using the persistent toxic substance lindane in canola seed treatment products.
• Lindane is described as a persistent organic pollutant and a known neurotoxicant in humans that can cause seizures, tremors, memory impairment, irritability, and aggression. It is also a suspected carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor in animals affecting reproduction and development.
• Environmental data indicates lindane is highly persistent in soil and contaminates surface and ground waters in Canada. The 1997 Canadian Arctic Contaminants Report found lindane and its isomers more frequently than any other organochlorine in the Arctic's atmosphere, marine, terrestrial, and freshwater environments.
• The participating organizations make three specific requests: that Canada resist Crompton's threats to avoid a precedent similar to the Ethyl Corporation settlement; that NAFTA Parties renegotiate Chapter 11 to protect the ability of governments to regulate toxic substances; and that future trade agreements, such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas, seek alternatives to the NAFTA investment model.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2002). International Anti-toxics Groups Urge Canadian Government to Resist Industry’s Challenge of Pesticide Ban. https://www.ciel.org/news/international-anti-toxics-groups-urge-canadian-government-to-resist-industrys-challenge-of-pesticide-ban-a-u-s-press-release-prepared-by-the-pesticide-action-network-is-also-available/

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. International Anti-toxics Groups Urge Canadian Government to Resist Industry’s Challenge of Pesticide Ban. 2002. https://www.ciel.org/news/international-anti-toxics-groups-urge-canadian-government-to-resist-industrys-challenge-of-pesticide-ban-a-u-s-press-release-prepared-by-the-pesticide-action-network-is-also-available/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=International Anti-toxics Groups Urge Canadian Government to Resist Industry’s Challenge of Pesticide Ban |date=1 January 2002 |url=https://www.ciel.org/news/international-anti-toxics-groups-urge-canadian-government-to-resist-industrys-challenge-of-pesticide-ban-a-u-s-press-release-prepared-by-the-pesticide-action-network-is-also-available/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2002international, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{International Anti-toxics Groups Urge Canadian Government to Resist Industry’s Challenge of Pesticide Ban}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2002}, month = jan, url = {https://www.ciel.org/news/international-anti-toxics-groups-urge-canadian-government-to-resist-industrys-challenge-of-pesticide-ban-a-u-s-press-release-prepared-by-the-pesticide-action-network-is-also-available/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }