Wilderness Committee and Toxic Free Canada Support Pesticide Bill
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A private member’s bill introduced in the legislature today would ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides in the province of British Columbia.
“We are happy that the Opposition has brought forward this bill, but frankly the Government should quit dragging its heels on this issue,” said Ben West, Healthy Communities campaigner with the Wilderness Committee.
A 2008 poll suggests that over 80% of British Columbians support a ban on pesticides for lawn and garden uses. Both Quebec and Ontario have already enacted similar laws.
"Toxic Free Canada has carefully studied the ingredients of good pesticide legislation, and the bill introduced today hits all the right notes. There is compelling scientific evidence that common pesticides contain chemicals harmful to human health and the environment. Getting them off the market is the provincial government's responsibility,” said Mae Burrows, executive director of Toxic Free Canada.
The University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre participated in drafting the law, which is the basis of the bill given first reading today.
“We don’t understand why the Campbell Government didn’t introduce the legislation itself. Instead, the Government opted for a consultation process that will take place over the Christmas holiday season,” said West.
More than 20 municipalities in the province have banned the use of cosmetic pesticides within their boundaries, but without a provincial ban there remains a loophole through which stores can still sell pesticides. They are not required to inform customers about a municipal ban.
Canadian Tire stores in Burnaby and Vancouver, which both have municipal bans, still stock cosmetic pesticides. They have been targeted by the Wilderness Committee and Toxic Free Canada because they refuse to stop selling the products.
“We will keep hammering away at companies that don't do the right thing. But ultimately it is the responsibility of Government to stop the sale of lawn and garden pesticides,” said West.
“The legislation is now in the public domain. All members of the legislature should give it their serious consideration,” said Burrows.
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Contact:
Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, 604-683-8220 / 604-710-5340 / www.wildernesscommittee.org
Mae Burrows, Executive Director, Toxic Free Canada / 604-916-9026 / www.toxicfreecanada.ca
A 2008 poll suggests that over 80% of British Columbians support a ban on pesticides for lawn and garden uses. Both Quebec and Ontario have already enacted similar laws.
"Toxic Free Canada has carefully studied the ingredients of good pesticide legislation, and the bill introduced today hits all the right notes. There is compelling scientific evidence that common pesticides contain chemicals harmful to human health and the environment. Getting them off the market is the provincial government's responsibility,” said Mae Burrows, executive director of Toxic Free Canada.
The University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre participated in drafting the law, which is the basis of the bill given first reading today.
“We don’t understand why the Campbell Government didn’t introduce the legislation itself. Instead, the Government opted for a consultation process that will take place over the Christmas holiday season,” said West.
More than 20 municipalities in the province have banned the use of cosmetic pesticides within their boundaries, but without a provincial ban there remains a loophole through which stores can still sell pesticides. They are not required to inform customers about a municipal ban.
Canadian Tire stores in Burnaby and Vancouver, which both have municipal bans, still stock cosmetic pesticides. They have been targeted by the Wilderness Committee and Toxic Free Canada because they refuse to stop selling the products.
“We will keep hammering away at companies that don't do the right thing. But ultimately it is the responsibility of Government to stop the sale of lawn and garden pesticides,” said West.
“The legislation is now in the public domain. All members of the legislature should give it their serious consideration,” said Burrows.
—30—
Contact:
Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, 604-683-8220 / 604-710-5340 / www.wildernesscommittee.org
Mae Burrows, Executive Director, Toxic Free Canada / 604-916-9026 / www.toxicfreecanada.ca