Pesticide ban now law

SUN MEDIA

Ontario's cosmetic pesticide ban takes effect today. Homeowners can still buy pesticides to control wasps, mosquitoes, fleas on pets, house pests or plants that are poisonous to the touch like poison ivy. But Ontario's ban outlaws the cosmetic use of about 250 products on lawns, parks, gardens and schoolyards. Banned pesticides still stored in homes should be taken to local municipal hazardous or special waste collection sites for disposal, rather than poured down drains, officials say. One pesticide manufacturer has challenged the right of provinces to ban its product. Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen said yesterday that he's not worried about the looming NAFTA battle. "We think we're doing absolutely the right thing banning pesticides from our lawns and gardens," Gerretsen said. "I'm not deterred by the fact that a large chemical company has taken us to task."

The provincial pesticide ban takes the place of any existing municipal pesticide ban, providing one set of rules across Ontario. Homeowners can use biopesticides without running afoul of the law.The ministry has indicated that enforcement of the ban will begin with "education and outreach" but for a first offence an individual convicted under the act could be fined up to $20,000 and a corporation up to $100,000.

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Banning Pesticides: Province of Ontario Website

Ontario’s lawns, gardens, school yards and parks will be a lot healthier beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2009. That’s the effective date of the province’s cosmetic pesticides ban.

The McGuinty government believes the use of pesticides to control pesky weeds and insects for purely cosmetic reasons is an unnecessary risk to our families and pets, especially when you can have a healthier lawn and garden without chemicals.

We have listened to medical experts – like the Canadian Cancer Society – who have made a convincing case for reducing our exposure to pesticides, particularly children who are generally more susceptible to the potential toxic effects of pesticides.

The ban is part of the McGuinty government’s commitment to protect families, especially children from pollution and toxic chemicals through tough new environmental laws.

The provincial ban overrides municipal pesticide bylaws, protecting all Ontarians, not just those in some communities. It also establishes one clear set of rules, which makes it easier for Ontario businesses to follow.