105.7 Sun FM Starlee Speers - Vernon
A controversial ban on using cosmetic pesticides has been given the go ahead in Vernon. Councillor Buffy Baumbrough says the majority of the input at public meetings was in favour of the ban. Council approved the bylaw Monday with opposition coming from councillors Mary Jo O'Keefe and Shawn Lee. Councillor Lee opposed the ban because he says it's basically saying we don't believe the science done by Health Canada. O'Keefe supports a ban but wanted to see it phased in more slowly.The ban on using pesticides on public land would take effect in 2010 with the ban on private lands coming into effect two years later.
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Pesticide Ban Moves Foward Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 26 May 2009 107.5 KISSFM
The city of Vernon will take a closer look at a bylaw to reduce pesticide use on lawns and green spaces. Council voted 5-2 to support a committee recommendation to ban cosmetic chemical use on city land by next year, and on private land by 2012. Shawn Lee was one of the councillors against the ban. "What we're saying in our reasoning is that we don't believe that Heath and Welfare Canada knows what they're doing, and that we don't believe that the average citizen can use the products safely." Lee says he would support a bylaw that would use more professional companies in the application of pesticides. Councillor Buffy Baumbrough says pesticides will still be allowed if there's a disease outbreak. "You can also in terms of invasive or noxious weeds, that is also not a part of this bylaw, so it's mainly for the use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes."
City staff will now draw up a proposed bylaw for council to consider.
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