Mike Simmons - Salmon Arm Observer
City council voted to delay the implementation of the city's cosmetic pesticide bylaw to March 1, 2010 for private lands. Until then, pesticides may be applied only by those with Integrated Pest Management certification. The ban on the application of pesticides on public lands was not changed and will come into effect March 1 of this year. Green Velvet Lawn and Tree Care owner Al Schneider spoke to city council on behalf of his own and other similar businesses operating in Salmon Arm. Schneider said he became aware of the bylaw in early September through a radio ad. He asked why none of the affected businesses in Salmon Arm were contacted. Schneider pointed out his copy of the bylaw listed a Jan. 1, 2010 start date for the bylaw affecting pesticide use on private lands. The start date was amended to March 1, 2009 at a Nov. 10, 2008 council meeting. Schneider said if the ban comes into effect March 1, it will result in financial and job losses in his company and companies like his.
Schneider said similar bylaws in Kelowna and Kamloops exempt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) certified applicators from the ban. He noted that without funds to enforce the bylaw, professionals are taken out of the equation. “Let the trained professionals do their jobs.” Schneider said using the alternative substances corn gluten and ascetic acid takes three or four applications to quell weeds instead of a single application with a pesticide. He said the pesticide 2,4-D was approved by Health Canada as a substance that does not pose a health risk if used according to label directions. Weedkiller 2,4-D is a commonly used pesticide in Canada. “Where is the scientific evidence that disproves the science of Health Canada?”
Coun. Debbie Cannon made a motion to amend the implementation date for private lands to March 1, 2010 for applicators with an IPM certification. She said Schneider felt the process didn’t work well with his business because he had already notified his customers of the original Jan. 1, 2010 implementation date. “I understood he would be fine if he had one more year.” Cannon pointed out Schneider’s business cares for fruit trees, which aren’t included under the ban. She said she contacted different people in the industry to be part of the bylaw committee, which also included two people with IPM certification. “The fact is that if we’re spraying, it does affect our children. The residue of pesticides does end up in our homes, and our water.” Coun. Kevin Flynn asked if the city would be creating a bigger problem by restricting IPM-certified applicators, but not having enforcement measures to prevent homeowners from using pesticides. Coun. Chad Eliason said he understands the concerns of applicators. He pointed out that extending the deadline would allow certified pesticide applicators to develop best practices. Eliason said if a province-wide ban on pesticides goes through, people will be calling those applicators who can remove weeds in a natural way. Coun. Alan Harrison said he thought the amendment was reasonable, but noted the majority of residents in Salmon Arm are not in favour of pesticides. “I think that’s the message that this bylaw gives.” Harrison said council has heard from doctors and families, all who see cosmetic pesticides as unhealthy and unnecessary.
Coun. Ken Jamieson said councillors may have overstepped themselves in their zeal to get a bylaw in place sooner than they were able to back it up with enforcement. He said he supported the amendment, but in March of 2010, council has to make sure the bylaw is fully implemented.“ I don’t want this stuff used in Salmon Arm. I don’t like it.”Council voted unanimously in favour of the amendment to the bylaw, altering the implementation date to March 1, 2010 for private lands.
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