Demand lawn pesticide ban in PEI
After years of lobbying by citizens, the Prince Edward Island government has finally responded by passing lawn pesticide legislation that ensures Islanders, the most pesticide-exposed population in Canada, will remain second class citizens. The agriculture and pesticide industries have long opposed any pesticide restrictions and clearly Premier Ghiz listened to them.
The lawn pesticide legislation was modelled after some of the worst legislation in the country (New Brunswick) rather than the best (Ontario).
Premier Ghiz apparently decided Islanders are not worth anything better.
If Premier Ghiz and his government do not hear from Islanders and visitors to PEI, this legislation will become law in the spring of 2010. It's not too late for government to repeal and re-write the legislation to take effect before the 2010 spray season.
The legislation bans only one pesticide active ingredient: 2,4-D. Golf courses will continue to be able to use this poison. Compare this to Ontario where more than 80 pesticide active ingredients are banned. PEI lawn spray companies will operate as usual except they won't be able to use 2.4-D. The public will still be able to purchase any pesticide (except 2,4-D) that isn't sold as a concentrate, a granular or a combination. Pre-mixed ready-to-use pesticides will still be sold in stores.
Harmless products commonly used on organic lawns, like corn gluten and soap sprays, are banned under this legislation.
Demand the legislation be amended to provide a comprehensive ban on the use of all lawn and garden pesticides.
Dear Premier Ghiz,
We urge you to amend your proposed lawn pesticide legislation so that it effectively prohibits ALL lawn and garden pesticides, except those used for organic lawn care, from sale and use by both the public and the lawn spray industry.
At the very least, we request that your government enact legislation as stringent as that enacted by the Province of Ontario. Why have you decided Islanders are not worth this same level of protection from toxic chemicals?
Your lawn pesticide legislation is modelled after New Brunswick's which is widely criticized, including by the David Suzuki Foundation. Your legislation bans just one pesticide while Ontario bans more than 80 pesticide active ingredients. Your legislation allows for business as usual for lawn spray companies, except that just one chemical will be removed from their arsenal of poisons. And your legislation bans harmless products, like corn gluten and soap spray, commonly used on organic lawns. Will you remove these harmless products from the "banned" list?
Please respect that most Islanders desire a non-toxic environment in which to raise their families, including their pets. It is not too late for you to amend the proposed legislation to ensure true protection for human health and the environment.
Thank you.
