15°c Clear
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Cosmetic pesticides could be banned next year: Mackintosh
Some pesticides target dandelions. (JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS ARCHIVES)
Manitoba could see a ban on cosmetic pesticides next year, Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh said today.
Such a ban, to be phased in, would see chemicals like WeedEx and Roundup outlawed in the province.
Mackintosh made his comments following a presentation of a letter this morning by health and environment groups calling on the Manitoba government to ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides. More than 1,000 people have also shown support for the ban either by signing letters or by adding their names to an online petition.
The province said in January it would soon join most other Canadian provinces and ban cosmetic pesticides -- sprays that keep lawns perfect by killing weeds like dandelions and bugs.
A ban would not apply to farms, but only lawns and other public green spaces. It also would not apply to pesticides used for health issues such as mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus or dangerous plants such as poison ivy.
Manitoba is one of only four provinces left that hasn't created some kind of ban on cosmetic pesticides. Nova Scotia and Ontario have relatively new bans that are considered the toughest.
The province is currently accepting feedback on the proposed ban. The deadline is Oct. 1 http://www.gov.mb.ca//conservation/envprograms/pdf/june_20_pesticides_release.pdf
Mackintosh said his department is looking at what is done in other provinces and municipalities.
Local lawn-care companies have said a cosmetic-pesticide ban is little more than politics.
Organic pesticides are available — some stores have already taken toxic chemicals off their shelves — but critics argue they tend to cost more and are not as effective.
Cities can ban the use of pesticides but only the province can ban the sale, a more effective method of reducing pesticide use. Brandon has a bylaw restricting cosmetic-pesticide use near schools, daycares and parks. Winnipeg's bylaw only requires lawn-care companies to post warning signs when they apply chemicals.
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 15 articles for today)
Lotteries
1:00 AM 0In the event of a discrepancy between this list and the official winning numbers, the latter shall prevail.
PICK 3
Winning number ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Pallister continues PST fight
- Teen on train tracks from York Landing
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- No mad dash for concessions
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.