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McGuinty Government's Pesticide Ban Takes Effect April 22
TORONTO, March 4 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban takes effect April 22, 2009.
The ban protects Ontario families and children from the unnecessary risks
of cosmetic pesticides by only allowing the use of certain lower-risk pes
ticides for controlling weeds and pests in lawns and gardens.
The ban prohibits the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes on
lawns, gardens, parks and school yards, and includes many herbicides,
fungicides and insecticides. Over 250 products will be banned for sale and
more than 80 pesticide ingredients will be banned for cosmetic uses.
There are exceptions for public health or safety reasons such as fighting
West Nile Virus, killing stinging insects like wasps, or controlling poison
ivy and other plants poisonous to the touch. Other exceptions include
agriculture and forestry.
The ban takes the place of existing municipal pesticide bylaws,
establishing one clear set of easy-to-understand rules, and providing
certainty for businesses operating in different areas of the province.
QUOTES
"We have fulfilled our commitment to ban the sale and use of cosmetic
pesticides in Ontario. I'm proud to say that, when the ban takes effect on
Earth Day, we will have eliminated this unnecessary risk to our environment,
our families, and especially our children." - John Gerretsen, Minister of the
Environment
<<
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario's pesticide rules are outlined in the Pesticides Act
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php) and
Ontario Regulation 63/09
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php).
- According to the Organic Landscape Alliance, chemical-dependent lawns
are highly susceptible to pests and diseases, whereas a healthy lawn
can survive several weeks in a dormant state, is less likely to be
damaged by pests and is less affected by drought, temperature
extremes and general wear and tear.
LEARN MORE
- What are the regulatory requirements
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php) for
retailers, the landscape industry and others? What are the exceptions
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php) for public
health or safety reasons, agriculture, forestry and golf courses?
- Get some tips on caring for lawns and gardens without the use of
harsh chemicals at the Ministry of the Environment's web site above.
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BACKGROUNDER
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Ontario's Cosmetic Pesticides Ban
Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban will take effect April 22, 2009. The
requirements of the ban are detailed in Ontario Regulation 63/09 and the
Pesticides Act, which was amended by the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008.
The provincial ban supersedes local municipal pesticides bylaws to create
one clear, transparent and understandable set of rules across the province.
Pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes on lawns, vegetable and
ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, and in parks and school
yards. There are no exceptions for pest infestations (insects, fungi or weeds)
in these areas, as lower risk pesticides, biopesticides and alternatives to
pesticides exist. More than 250 pesticide products are banned for sale and
over 80 pesticide ingredients are banned for cosmetic uses.
Exceptions
- Public health or safety: Pesticides can be used to control plants
that are poisonous to the touch, such as poison ivy; insects that
bite, sting, are venomous or are disease carrying, like mosquitoes;
and animals, insects or plants that may cause damage to a structure
or infrastructure, such as termites.
- Natural resources: There is an exception, with Ministry of Natural
Resources approval, to control invasive species that may be
detrimental to health, the environment or the economy, or to protect
a native plant, animal or a rare ecosystem.
- Golf courses are conditionally excepted from the ban provided they
follow tough new rules. They must become accredited for Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) by an approved accreditation body. IPM uses a
variety of tools, including best practices, mechanical and biological
methods, along with pesticides when necessary, to manage pest
populations. Golf courses must prepare an annual report on how they
minimized their pesticide use and make the report accessible to the
public. Also, they must hold a public meeting annually to present the
report.
- Sports fields are allowed a short term exception from the ban to host
national or international level sports competitions. Written approval
for the exception must be granted by the Minister of the Environment.
Once the event concludes, the use of pesticides must end. Areas such
as lawns and gardens around the sports fields are not excepted from
the ban.
- Specialty turf: Pesticides can be used to maintain specialty turf
used for lawn bowling, cricket, lawn tennis and croquet if certain
conditions are met. Areas such as lawns and gardens around the
specialty turf are not excepted from the ban. IPM and annual
reporting conditions, similar to those imposed on golf courses, must
be followed.
- Trees: Since trees are so important to protecting our climate,
licensed exterminators can use conventional pesticides with the
written opinion of a tree care professional that states that the use
of the pesticide is necessary to protect the health of the tree.
Homeowners and licensed exterminators can also buy and use
biopesticides and lower risk pesticides (e.g., Btk - a biopesticide
sprayed over Ontario cities for Gypsy moth control) to care for trees
without requiring an opinion from a tree care professional.
- Agriculture: The use of pesticides is necessary for agriculture from
an economic and operational perspective. Ontario farmers already have
stringent rules on the use, handling, storage and application of
pesticides, and these rules will continue. The exception does not
apply to a farmer's household vegetable garden and lawn.
- Forestry: The use of pesticides in forestry is essential to protect
trees from pests, and to control competing vegetation. Ontario's
forestry workers must follow stringent rules on the use, handling,
storage and application of pesticides. The exception applies to a
range of forestry activities including harvest and reforestation.
- Public works: Under the health or safety exception, pesticides are
allowed to be used to maintain safe conditions, and the security of
and emergency access to public works. Public works include highways,
railways, power works, gas works, water works and other utilities,
transit/transportation corridors and the perimeter of nuclear
facilities. The exception does not apply to the use of a pesticide on
a portion of a highway to which pedestrians have access on a regular
basis or where the public is invited to stop including picnic and
rest areas.
Notice Signs
Homeowners can apply biopesticides or lower risk pesticides to control
weeds and other pests on lawns, gardens, driveways and other areas around the
home. However, if licensed exterminators use a lower risk pesticide or
biopesticide, the exterminator must post a green notice sign on the lawn. This
sign makes it clear that the exterminator is not using an illegal pesticide
and satisfies the public's right to know about the use of a pesticide. For
example, if an exterminator treated a lawn with corn gluten meal to suppress
weeds, he/she would need to post a green sign.
Pesticide Storage and Fire Department Notification
The ministry has harmonized storage and fire department notification
requirements for manufacturers with existing requirements for operators
(including commercial lawn care companies) and vendors.These requirements
ensure that local fire departments know where pesticides are stored to protect
human health and the environment.
Pesticide Classification
To support the cosmetic pesticides ban, a pesticide classification system
consisting of eleven classes of pesticides has been established.
- Class 1 are manufacturing concentrates used in the manufacture of a
pesticide product.
- Classes 2, 3 and 4 are commercial or restricted pesticides that can
continue to be used by farmers and licensed exterminators for non-
banned uses. If the pesticide contains a Class 9 pesticide, it may
only be used for an exception to the ban (e.g., agriculture,
forestry, golf courses).
- Classes 5 and 6 pesticides can be used by homeowners and include
biopesticides and lower risk pesticides allowed for cosmetic uses.
- Class 7 includes dual-use pesticides (i.e. indoor/outdoor uses). Such
pesticides will only be allowed to be used for non-cosmetic purposes.
For example, they can be used indoors to kill pests or outdoors for
public health or safety reasons, but cannot be used outdoors to kill
weeds. Retailers must give information to notify purchasers that only
certain uses of these pesticides are legal. In two years' time,
consumers will also not have ready access to these products, and
continue to receive notification about the legal uses.
- Class 8 are banned domestic products. (e.g., pesticide-fertilizer
combination products, weed and insect control products for lawns and
gardens).
- Class 9 lists ingredients in pesticide products. These ingredients
are banned for cosmetic use. Commercial or restricted products
containing these ingredients may still be used by farmers or licensed
exterminators for exceptions under the ban.
- Class 10 pesticides are ingredients in pesticide products. These are
the only ingredients that may be used to control plants that are
poisonous to the touch under the public health or safety exception.
- Class 11 lists ingredients that are biopesticides or lower risk
pesticides. Licensed exterminators that use Class 11 pesticides are
required to post a green notice sign to provide public notice of the
use of these pesticides.
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Disponible en français
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For further information: Kate Jordan, Ministry of the Environment, (416) 314-6666; Public inquiries: Ministry of the Environment's Public Information Centre: 1-800-565-4923 or (416) 325-4000
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