Victoria, B.C.- The Committee that has been examining the use of   pesticides has tabled it’s report, but fails to call for an all out ban on sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic reasons in residential settings.  

The final decision was not unanimous. 

“The majority of the committee does not think the scientific evidence, at this time, warrants an outright ban," explained committee chair Bill Bennett. "We are not prepared to say to homeowners that purchasing 2,4-D is prohibited, under all circumstances, or that they cannot hire a qualified person to apply it to their lawns." 

Dupty Chair of the Committee, Rob Fleming, says the minority of committee  had a different view “The minority of the committee came to the conclusion that there is enough evidence to support the public’s and the Union of B.C.  Municipalities’ call for a provincewide ban on the sale and cosmetic use of pesticides in residential settings." 

Instead of an all out ban, the Committee has put forth 17 recommendations aimed at promoting the safe use of pesticides. The recommendations are:

1.       Ban the sale of Commercial-class pesticides as soon as possible, except for use by certified applicators. Begin immediate consultations with the agriculture industry on how best to prohibit the sale of Commercial-class pesticides to anyone but a certified applicator.

2.       Amend Integrated Pest Management Act (IPMA) regulation(s) regarding how pesticides can be sold to require vendors to restrict consumer access to most Domestic-class pesticides so customers must interact with a certified dispenser before purchasing a pesticide.

a.       The best way to control pests and weeds;

b.      The right way to use a pesticide so that it does the job;

c.       The legal uses of the pesticide; and

d.      The importance of reading and following the directions on the label.

4.       Require a vendor to keep a record of each sale of a Domestic-class pesticide, in line with the requirement for a vendor of a Commercial-class pesticide; and that government use the records of sales information to track Domestic-class pesticide sales.

5.       Provide vendors with a reasonable phase-in implementation period.

6.       Increase inspections of retail outlets to ensure that pesticide products are accessible only by interaction with certified dispensers and that the consumer is receiving appropriate information and instruction.

7.       Increase penalties for those vendors not meeting the responsibility that accompanies their right to sell the product.

8.       Improve public education on the use of Domestic-class products, with a focus on the right product at the right time, in accordance with IPM principles and to the extent possible, in ways that are consistent with B.C. organic standards and organic management   practices.

9.       Employ IPM specialist(s) to work with retailers and other stakeholders to educate the public on ways to eliminate pesticide use and increase alternative pest management methods. The specialist could be responsible for developing and/or coordinating and approving educational information developed through partnerships.

10.   Make public education a combined responsibility of manufacturers, retailers and government with manufacturers, retailers and applicator businesses paying most of the cost; and provide resources to support non-commercial organizations dedicated to public education. Components of the outreach or promotion could be contracted out, similar in nature to the Recycling Council of BC, with an IPM specialist approving educational information and delivery methods.

11.   Develop a separate list of preferred products that meet a set of criteria for sale/use on lawns, gardens and turf to assist certified dispensers and consumers when selecting pesticides.

12.   Develop, in conjunction with retailers and manufacturers, a one-day course for consumers. Graduates would be issued a card allowing a straightforward purchase of registered Domestic-class pesticides.

13.   Establish a website for the householder using pesticides in and around private homes and gardens that explains the principles of IPM, alternative methods of treatment, and methods of lawn care that reduce the growth of weeds.

14.   Amend the IPM Regulation regarding how pesticides can be used by landscapers for lawn and landscape pest management to require IPM accreditation for landscaping licensees. A third party accreditation body, like Plant Health BC, could be required to audit its members for compliance with record keeping requirements of IPM Regulation and for good IPM practices.

15.   Enhance retailer training by directing the retail industry to set up, at its own cost, a more comprehensive training and certification regime so that sales people in the retail setting are qualified to ensure consumer choices are in line with IPM principles; and develop a training course for pesticide applicators as a pre-requisite to test writing, with the course content to include the application of IPM principles in residential settings.

16.   Ask the golf industry to develop a province-wide certification process, or to modify an existing one, that will ensure a high standard of pesticide use by all golf courses in BC, including the use of IPM principles.

17.   Expand and enhance the provincial unwanted pesticide management program to facilitate the return of unwanted Domestic-, Commercial- or Restricted-class pesticide products.

The all-party committee was appointed in June 2011 to conduct consultations regarding the unnecessary use of pesticides in the province. The inquiry included briefings from federal and provincial regulators and stakeholder presentations. The committee also conducted an e-consultation and received almost 8,700 submissions, setting a new record for public participation in a committee inquiry.