Cavers pulls planned pesticide motion
Green thumbs in the Tournament Capital who want to use chemical pesticides to treat their lawns can still hire an accredited company for at least a couple of more months.
City council was set to debate a motion at the Tuesday, Feb. 14, regular meeting brought forward by Coun. Donovan Cavers, which called for a complete ban on chemical pesticides in the city limits.
However, the rookie councillor decided to withdraw the motion.
He said after talking with fellow colleagues, he realized the motion wasn't going to get support and had no chance of succeeding.
Cavers said other councillors wanted to wait until the province brings in its own pesticide regulations, on which the B.C. government is working.
"When we find out what the province is doing, if we're not satisfied with their legislation, then we'll come up with a bylaw that is a little more robust," he said.
Cavers reiterated his concern for the health impacts from chemical pesticides, but conceded the province has more power to regulate the sale of pesticides and enforce legislation.
The existing city bylaw, which came into effect in 2010, prohibits a person from applying pesticides on residential land for the purpose of maintaining outdoor trees, shrubs flowers or ornamental plants and turf.
However, there is an exception for vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Residents can also apply to the city’s integrated pest management co-ordinator for an exemption by using an accredited licensed applicator to apply pesticides for cosmetic use.
Cavers’ motion, if it had been successful, would have put an end to that practice.
The decision to withdraw the motion was a disappointment to Diane Czyzewski, a Kamloops resident who has been fighting for a total ban on pesticides for years.
She argued there is no time to wait to implement a ban.
"We've waited so long and put on the back-burner," Czyzewski said, noting she is concerned about the health impact from pesticide use, particularly the effects of the chemicals on children.
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