PEI’s Legislative Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Environment will hear from more groups on the motion to make recommendations on implementing a province-wide ban on cosmetic pesticides.
The Committee will then write a report. What would you like to see in the report?
Food for thought…
The Province of Ontario will soon be implementing a province wide ban and here is a piece from their website encouraging the public to take part in the decision making
Title: Notice of intent to introduce legislation that would ban the cosmetic use of pesticides in Ontario.
Description of Policy:
On November 20, 2007, the government committed to a toxics reduction strategy to help protect Ontarians from potentially harmful environmental toxics. Further to this, the government has made a number of commitments with respect to the proposed ban on cosmetic uses of pesticides, including:
- “New legislation would also ban the cosmetic use of pesticides in our cities and towns.
- “Legislation to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides to be introduced in the spring of 2008”.
- The ban would apply to cosmetic uses, such as “lawns, private gardens, parks and school yards” with a focus on “small towns and cities, not on restrictions for rural residents.”
- “Agriculture will be exempt. Ontario farmers already have stringent rules on the storage and application of pesticides.”
- “Golf courses will also be exempt but we would require golf courses to develop plans to limit the environmental impact of pesticides.”
- “We will also ensure that pesticides can still be used in situations where it is warranted to ensure public health (for example, to fight West Nile virus).”
- “The focus of our efforts will be on outreach and education on alternatives to pesticides on lawns. Enforcement will be a last resort.”
The government will look at other communities and jurisdictions, including Quebec, that have implemented bans on cosmetic uses of pesticides. Currently, the use of pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or combinations of any of these) is restricted in a number of municipalities across Ontario.
Purpose of Policy:
The purpose of this proposal is to inform the public of the government’s policy intent to implement a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides, and solicit feedback from the public as the government considers policy options relating to the following:
1. Determining the Scope of the Ban
The proposed ban would apply to cosmetic uses of pesticides, those intended to improve the appearance of lawns, gardens, parks and school yards. Do you have any comments on the proposed scope?
The proposed ban would allow pesticides to be used in situations where it is warranted to help ensure public health (for example, to fight West Nile virus). Are there other situations where the use of pesticides should be allowed?
2. Sale of Cosmetic Pesticides
Other jurisdictions have banned the sale of pesticides used solely for cosmetic purposes while municipalities in Ontario have regulated the use of certain pesticides . Should the province consider banning the sale of those pesticides used solely for cosmetic purposes?
3. Exemptions/Restrictions
It is proposed that uses of pesticides for the purposes of agriculture and managed forests would be exempt, as they are already governed by stringent rules on the storage and application of pesticides.
The government indicated that the focus of the ban would be on “towns and cities, and not on restrictions on rural residents.” Do you have any comments on this approach?
4. Exemptions for Golf Courses
It is proposed that golf courses would also be exempt, but would be required to develop plans to limit the environmental impact of pesticides. Should the government consider setting out minimum requirements for the plans developed by golf course owners/operators? What should the requirements include?
5. Timing
The government proposes to introduce legislation in the spring of 2008, with a phased-in implementation (e.g. 3 years).
