Canadian Pesticide Bylaw Tabled

LONDON, Ontario – A proposed bylaw that would impose fines on homeowners and lawn care companies for improper pesticide use was presented to the London, Ontario city council yesterday. Committee members voted to table the bylaw for two weeks, allowing time for both anti-pesticide organizations and lawn care companies time to negotiate ways to improve the bylaw.

"I certainly wouldn't object to an opportunity to explore all options and to incorporate some of (the environmentalists') suggestions," said Councilmember Fred Tranquilli, chairperson of the environment and transportation committee. Tranquilli spoke with The London Free Press reporter Joe Belanger.

Coun. Bill Armstrong, who sits on the committee and has lobbied for a ban on pesticides, was pleased with the effort to compromise. "We're trying to come up with a bylaw that can be supported by everybody," Armstrong told the Free Press. "We want to put some teeth in the bylaw."

The new bylaw promotes integrated pest management to limit the cosmetic use of pesticides and places an emphasis on public education to encourage homeowners to reduce the use of chemicals on lawns. The bylaw would allow pesticide applications when:

• There is no smog advisory
• It isn't raining
• Winds are less than 10 kilometres an hour
• The temperature is less than 25 C. (77 F)

Blanket spraying of properties would be illegal and companies would be limited to spraying 20 percent of a property. Spraying would not be allowed within 10 meters of open water, a wetland or a well. Lawn care operators also would have to register with the city.

At the meeting, the Free Press reports, city staff clarified that the city will seek fines of between $100 and $200 for violations.

"If we can compromise and get something stronger, we're going to give this bylaw critical support or not oppose it, even if it's not entirely what we want," said Sam Trosow of the London Coalition Against Pesticides. "But, in the long run, we want the type of ban we originally sought." Trosow said he's hopeful vague language in the bylaw will be strengthened to ensure compliance.

The committee also asked staff for an update on what other municipalities are doing. The public will get a chance to give input at a meeting scheduled for Nov. 14.