PEI lawn pesticide legislation: massive betrayal of citizens
Millvale – The Ghiz government’s proposed lawn pesticide legislation is a massive betrayal of PEI citizens by their own government, charges the Green Party of Prince Edward Island.
Green party leader Sharon Labchuk said Islanders have been lobbying and agitating for 20 years for a ban on lawn pesticides only to end up with the some of the worst legislation in the country.
“Premier Ghiz had a choice,” said Labchuk. “He could have adopted Ontario’s legislation, widely regarded as the best in any country. Instead, he chose to copy New Brunswick’s legislation, some of the least effective legislation for protecting human health and the environment.”
PEI’s legislation only bans one pesticide, the herbicide 2,4-D, while Ontario bans over 80 pesticide active ingredients. Lawn spray companies will continue to operate as usual but without this one herbicide. Golf courses are exempt and will still be allowed to use 2,4-D.
“The province lists over 200 pesticide products that will be prohibited for use by homeowners but most of them contain 2,4-D which will be banned anyway,” said Labchuk. “Others on the list are prohibited for sale as concentrates or as granular products but will still be available in stores as pre-mixed ready-to-use products. So while a list of over 200 products may sound like people will be less exposed to these poisons, the reality is that only one pesticide is banned and the prohibitions, except for 2,4-D, do not apply to lawn spray companies. It’s a total sham.”
Labchuk questions why Premier Ghiz does not think Islanders are worthy of the same protection from toxic pesticides that people in Ontario and Quebec were given by their governments.
“There is still time for Premier Ghiz to do the right thing and amend this bill, to make it at least as effective as Ontario’s legislation, if not better,” said Labchuk. “But he won’t do it willingly. Islanders need to tell their MLAs they will not settle for second class status and that children, not the pesticide industry, deserve protection.”
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Contact:
Sharon Labchuk 902-940-1262