It looks as if B.C. will soon get a ban on cosmetic pesticides.
NDP leader Adrian Dix recently proposed legislation to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides across the province, then challenged Premier Christy Clark to take action.
Clark, the new B.C. Liberal leader, says she has supported a ban for years and wants to work with the opposition and the public to find the best way to further restrict the use of lawn and garden weed killers.
If the two leaders can work together to pass a bill, it would be a promising sign bi-partisan co-operation is possible in a forum more noted for rancorous debate.
The dumping of toxic chemicals on such ‘weeds’ as dandelions and chickweed (which are both edible) is totally unnecessary. Why should those who can’t be bothered to weed by hand endanger others by building up a toxic environment?
The province can look to such cities as White Rock, which has had a pesticide ban in place since July 2008, Surrey and more recently Nanaimo for examples.
The Surrey school district banned cosmetic herbicides three years ago, and last month vowed to “curtail and diminish” the use of pesticides and insecticides in and around its schools.
The bylaws came about in part from pressure from the people in various communities.
Thanks to such lobbying, the message is getting heard at the provincial level.
More than 20 cities throughout B.C. have already banned cosmetic pesticide use.
But for such a ban to be effective, it needs to be provincewide, so we don’t have examples of people being able to buy their dandelion death juice from a neighbouring municipality.
So here’s to a less toxic environment, both in the legislature and on our lawns.
– Peace Arch News
