human toxicology, many other important prob- 
lems confront us; The development of pesti- 
cide-resistant strains of pests; the persistence 
of different compounds in different environ- 
ments and their uptake from different types of 
soil by different kinds of plants under different 
weather conditions; the movement of pesticides 
within and between ecosystems and their con- 
centration in the food chain; the synergistic 
effects on different animals and man of dif- 
ferent pesticides with other chemicals; andthe 
effect of small doses of toxicants consumed 
over several generations on fertility, vigor, 
and survival of susceptible forms of birds and 
animals;--to name but a few. 
This grossly incomplete account will at least 
indicate the welter of conflicting circum- 
stances, uncertainties, and difficulties under 
which we must continue to develop chemical 
control measures. Clearly there is need for 
constant vigilance and for a more compre- 
hensive program of research. But there is 
no cause fo pessimism. 
Cooperative planning points the way. But 
first we need a meeting of minds from all the 
sectors of society concerned with the pest and 
pesticide problem, particularly from agricul- 
ture, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, and public 
health, to establish mutual understanding and 
confidence. Jointly they must survey the prob- 
lem, compile records of research in course, 
determine mutual and independent spheres of 
interest, reach agreement on major goals, and 
select priorities for future study. 
The decisions should be integrated at 
regional and national levels and finally inter- 
nationally into a combined effort to use avail- 
able resources to best advantage. We must 
strive for complementary instead of dupli- 
catory programs both intranationally and inter- 
nationally. Even then, operations will have to 
be confined to a small number of the enormous 
possibilities for research that confront us. 
One has only to reflect on the innumerable kinds 
of soils, crops, animals, pests, chemicals, 
husbandry practices, and weather that are in- 
volved to realize that critical selection of 
projects is mandatory. Properly trained per- 
sonnel, suitable research facilities, and funds 
are all in short supply; and, whether we like it 
or not, we must plan the program to fit these 
limitations. But plan we must. And let us will- 
ingly breach those scientific and administrative 
barriers that in the light of our collective wis- 
dom should be and can be breached. 
Each country must work out its own approach 
to this problem. In Canada we are presently 
striving to develop the necessary liaison. In 
1964, the Federal Government formed an Inter- 
departmental Committee on Pesticides with 
representation from seven Federal agencies. 
This advisory body reports to the Minister of 
Agriculture and is charged with keeping the 
whole pesticide problem in Canada under regu- 
lar review. The formation of counterpart ad- 
visory committees in each Province is under 
consideration. On this organizational frame- 
work we hope to develop a cooperative andco- 
ordinated approach to such complex long-range 
issues as legislation, research, and major con- 
trol operations. 
Helpful experience is already available from 
the Interdepartmental Committee on Forest 
Spraying Operations (6), which has been func- 
tioning in Canada since 1958. This is an opera- 
tional committee with membership from Fed- 
eral forestry, fisheries, and wildlife interests. 
It represents the Government of Canada in 
joint planning of cost-sharing pest-control 
programs with provincial government depart- 
ments and industrial associations and agencies. 
The objectives of the Committee are to review 
important forest insect problems that may re- 
quire control by forest spraying; to coordinate 
the views of different agencies concerned with 
control projects and their consequences; to 
review research needs and to promote research 
investigations relevant to lessening risks to 
other forms of life affected by operational 
programs; and to insure that the same infor- 
mation on control projects, hazards, etc., is 
transmitted to the senior officials of each of 
the Federal departments concerned. The Com- 
mittee has dealt with a number of projects and 
programs, the largest being the spraying of 
several million acres for spruce budworm 
control in New Brunswick (7), As a result of 
shared experiences and cooperative research, 
the operational program has been repeatedly 
modified in an effort to serve the interests of 
all concerned with the total productivity of the 
region. This experience has strengthened our 
