Public scrutiny of pesticides can’t be contained by borders.
From Canada to Europe, countries are reacting to chemical use with more than warnings and hearsay, but instead restrictions that will ban most non-farm pesticides in Canada by 2005 and will shelf 320 substances used in pesticide production in Europe by the end of next year.
“People’s health is more important than a perfect lawn,” said Canadian Minister Andre Boisclair at a news conference in Quebec, Canada. “I enjoin Quebecers to no longer use pesticides.”
The decision to immediately ban the use of 30 noxious pesticides on public lands, including parks, schools, day care centers and hospitals, will extend to private and commercial lands in 2005. Agriculture land will not be affected by the ruling.
This aggressive move follows a 2001 Canadian Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to ban pesticide use in residential areas.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is seeking “nontoxic substitutes and incentives for pesticide-free farming” according to a July 4 press release that announced the EU’s decision to ban 320 substances used in pesticide production. “We must make pesticide use sustainable…to make agricultural production less dependent on pesticides,” said Margot Wallstroem, EU Environment Commissioner.
According to EU spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde, the EU uses 320,000 tons of pesticides each year and the level is increasing. While current legislation requires manufacturers to prove their products reach set safety standards, the EU said the industry did not present defenses for 320 ingredients which, in effect, will be pulled from the market by 2003.
This story was compiled from Reuters and Associated Press news reports.