Government all talk, no action on cosmetic pesticide ban
NDP Environment and Conservation Critic George Murphy (MHA, St. John’s East) says banned chemical pesticides are still on store shelves, even though they were supposed to be removed by May 1.
“Last year when the ban was brought in residents and environmentalists were pleased that government was finally taking action after years of lobbying, even if the ban on cosmetic pesticides applied only to lawns,” said Murphy. “Now it seems government isn’t enforcing the ban.”
After intense lobbying government introduced the ban on five specific chemicals in July 2011. The five chemicals are: carbaryl, 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), mecoprop, dicamba and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid). Government gave vendors, homeowners and lawn care companies a year to prepare for this ban.
“Is the minister enforcing the ban on these chemicals?” asked Murphy. “And what is his department going to do to make sure the regulations will be adhered to?”
