Cosmetic pesticide ban passed by Stratford

The Town of Stratford has become the first community on P.E.I. to ban cosmetic pesticides.

Council passed the bylaw, which bans lawn-care companies from spraying most commercial pesticides on lawns, Wednesday evening.

"Our residents have spoken strongly about what they want to have in Stratford and, council and in my role as mayor, we have to reflect, in our decisions, what the people of Stratford want," said Dunphy.

"And they've told us loud and clearly that they want more pesticide regulation."

Deputy Mayor Randy Cooper was the only member of council to vote against the bylaw.

He says the ban pertains to only six commercial pesticide applicators and members of the public are still free to do what they wish.

According to provincial regulations, private homeowners can apply what are called domestic-class pesticides. They are intended to be used for one application or for a season. There are two types of domestic-class pesticides: self-select that are sold in small amounts; and controlled-purchase pesticides that may require special handling or are sold in larger amounts.

Homeowners are prohibited from applying commercial-grade pesticides on their own.

And now, in Stratford, at least, they won't be able to hire a lawn-care company to do it for them.

"I still feel passionately about the bylaw here in Stratford. I feel passionate about the fact that I don't think it is needed," said Cooper.

"If the province had of done their job, or done a good job of enforcing the rules, we probably wouldn't be in this position."

The bylaw becomes effective Jan.1, 2016.

The vote drew a standing ovation from members of the group Pesticide Free P.E.I. at the meeting.

A similar bylaw was voted down in the City of Charlottetown last month. The city wants the province to issue an Island-wide ban for consistency.