
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 28, 1990                   TAG: 9003280572
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: AUSTIN, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Short

GROWER COMES TO DEFENSE OF PESTICIDE

One of the state's largest vegetable growers told a regulatory board he was opposed to banning the pesticide chlordane, saying: "sure it's going to kill a lot of people, but they may be dying of something else anyway."

Othal Brand, mayor of McAllen, made the statement Tuesday during his first appearance at the Agriculture Resources Protection Authority meeting, to which he was appointed by Gov. Bill Clements.

Brand later denied making the statement, which was tape-recorded by a Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter and a state employee.

The board was discussing whether to close a loophole in state regulations that allows the use of chlordane by homeowners who own some of the banned pesticide.

The pesticide is effective in fighting termites.

In the tape, Brand said: "I'm 70 years old and in great shape, and I mean, sure it's going to kill a lot of people but they may be dying of something else anyway."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower called Brand's statement outrageous.

Elvin Caraway, a Fort Worth attorney also appointed to the board, said Brand's comment was just an "old country expression."

"The gist of his comment is there are many things that cause illness and that . . . some of the concern about pesticide generally is a little over-exaggerated," Caraway said. "I'm not saying I agree with that or disagree with it."

by CNB