Cosmetic pesticide ban endorsed

Author: Alex

White Rock council has unanimously endorsed a motion that will eventually eliminate the use of cosmetic pesticides in the city.

Staff will be preparing bylaws and legislation to outlaw the practice on both private and city land, and at the same time staff will develop an educational program for residents, businesses and property owners on alternatives to cosmetic pesticides.

The motion, proposed by Coun. Helen Fathers, also invites the Surrey-White Rock Pesticide Free Coalition and the Canadian Cancer Society to provide input to the environmental committee for such an educational program.

And, as a result of a subsequent motion by Mayor Catherine Ferguson, staff will also gather examples of best practices from other cities not using cosmetic pesticides.

Not only do the chemicals particularly imperil babies, children and teenagers, Fathers added, but, ultimately, they do not work.

"Although 99 per cent of the plants targeted are killed, the one per cent that do survive build up resistance, leading to the development of new chemicals."

Around 146 communities throughout B.C. and Canada are currently involved in making their municipalities free of cosmetic pesticides.

"Maybe we need to expect less manicured parks," said Coun. Al Campbell, noting there were more natural-appearing alternatives to highly cultivated floral parks.

"The manicured park may be a thing of the past."

Source:bclocalnews.com