Dalton promised a province-wide pesticide ban.
Get ready for it, and check out how Halifax is doing.
It's on the store shelves, but people are 'not supposed to use it'. However, they still do.
Why? It seems that Halifax doesn't have the resources to follow up.
Get ready for a whole new regime of unionized bureaucracy, Ontario! Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll all go on strike.
24 comments:
There are a number of causes where I can understand why you get upset, like, say, the Health tax. I don't get the opposition here though.
Some points:
Many municipalities have already banned pesticides -- or are in the process.
A good number of lawn care companies have switched to organic products and practices.
There are plenty of inexpensive and effective organic lawn care products and practices readily available to people.
Finally, there's a reason so many jurisdictions are banning pesticides: they're harmful to our health. This is exactly the kind of thing I'd hope a responsible government would do.
Crab-grass killers? The nerve.
Joanne, do you like pesticides?
How about asbestos? Thalidomide?
Don't you hate when governments meddle in the affairs of hard-working, tax-paying property owners?
How did you avoid the temptation to title your post "Lawn & Order"?
Red - O.K., I admit that was funny.
Dirk and Crabby - If pesticides are so harmful, why are they readily available on store shelves????.
Note that Halifax stores still sell the noxious substances.
Joanne, are you arguing that availability guarantees safety?
Did the availability of asbestos and thalidomide guarantee their safety?
Joanne, are you arguing that availability guarantees safety?
I'm saying, if they're so dangerous, they should be pulled off the shelves. And thalidomide was never available over-the-counter.
Joanne: "I'm saying, if they're so dangerous, they should be pulled off the shelves."
Agreed, for sure.
I thought you were offering the availability of the pesticides in stores as proof that they are safe. Obviously not, and the same goes for the availability (under doctor's orders) of prescription drugs.
I thought you were offering the availability of the pesticides in stores as proof that they are safe
No. My point was that it was hypocritical. But at least you understand where I'm coming from now.
:)
The problem of availability relates to the fact that most of these initiatives to date have been municipal in nature and they don't have the legislative authority to prohibit sale of the banned substances. Besides, if one was determined, it would be quite easy to slip into another local jurisdiction that didn't have a pesticide ban and purchase the goods in question.
Besides, if one was determined, it would be quite easy to slip into another local jurisdiction that didn't have a pesticide ban and purchase the goods in question.
So when McGuinty brings in a province-wide ban, we should still allow border cities to sell it?
The products are allowed for infestations. It is only the "cosmetic" use that is banned.
Therefore banning the product can't really be done, without reclassifying them so that you need a license to apply them. That's not municipal law, there are both provincial and federal laws involved. There are six different schedules, depending on hazardousness Link
However the ban would require lawn care companies to use acceptable alternatives. There are a lot fewer of them than individuals, and they would be the major "emitters" subject to any enforcement. Stopping routine (cosmetic) use by lawn care companies is the main result at this point.
Thanks for that info, L.S. Much appreciated.
Question of the day: why do the same folks who want to ban pesticides which have to go through rigorous safety tests adamantly oppose any tests for "health supplements?"
Swift, which people are you referring to?
I dunno who Swift is talking about but it brought to mind a "type" I encounter frequently, namely those who would be whole hog behind a pesticide ban, and yet will fill their bodies with ginseng this, St. John's Wort that, and anti-oxidizing-omega-acids the other. In other words, pesticide chemicals are clearly "bad" (and they are), but those other chemicals are good, especially since they are not endorsed by the Big Pharma associated evil medical "establishment".
Those people drive me nuts.
Those people drive me nuts.
Oh, yeah. I know what you guys are talking about now.
What I don't understand is why those people taking herbal medications (if that's what you're referring to) are so against standardized testing? (If I'm understanding Swift correctly).
I see a few of you have been paying attention to things other than soap operas and hockey games.
Good news for all you coffee drinkers: there is at least one way to design an experiment that will prove coffee is a health hazard. Will this be the next crusade?
The reason pesticides can't be banned outright is because their is no scientific evidence that they are harmful to peoples health. On the contrary all testing to date has indicated the contrary. All municipal bans have been perpetrated by activists who love the nanny state.
Thank you, Greg. I was waiting for someone to say that.
In fact, a couple of years ago I contacted a professor at Guelph University who said that this is all bunk. Pesticides are safe when applied according to directions. The problem is that some people aren't careful with the quantities.
I think it should be left up to accredited professionals. Joe Blow without any training shouldn't be allowed to use pesticides, IMHO, but I do believe that lawn care companies should be allowed to do so, provided they have proper training and testing, etc.
Leave pesticides to the professionals (lawn care companies) and take them off the store shelves. This would reduce improper pesticide use greatly. The people who know pesticides (University of Guelph) say they are safe if used properly. Let's trust them (we have to believe someone) and not the fanatics who use junk science in thier arguement against good products.
That's a great point, Fred! Next time I bring up this topic, I'm going to mention your suggestion. Thanks.
My husband and I own a organic lawn care franchise and I know for a fact that a couple of the "unsafe pesticides/herbicides" that we apply are completely biodegradable, and I mean that they completely biodegrade within hours. If used correctly and by a professional these chemicals pose no risk at all. This year we had so many,if not all, of our "100% organic clients" switch over to our pesticide program because their lawns were being infested with cinch bug and grubs,not to mention weeds. These people are in for a rude awakening next year when the silly ban comes into effect. The people behind the ban coming into effect should have done their research before opening their mouths and causing a lot of problems for people like my husband and I who are trying to start our own business.
Anon, have you tried contacting your local MPP?
This blog has moved to a new location, but I am very upset about this as well.
If you have any new information or concerns, please send them to the address at my profile. Thanks.
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