Nova Scotia Environment Non-essential Pesticides Program

Overview How pesticides are regulated in Canada Understanding the Act, Regulations and Allowable List

Understanding how pesticides are regulated in Canada Federal Government Health Canada’s Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) registers pest control products –Label is a legal document Provincial Government regulates the storage and use (approvals, certification, auditing, compliance)

Background Public Consultation in winter 2009/2010 –80% of public support for this legislation –Act passed May 2010 Regulations and List of Allowable Pesticides approved December 2010 –Consulted extensively with the lawn care industry, medical groups and special interest groups

The Act Non-essential Pesticides Control Act was passed on May 11, 2010 Beginning April 2011 Act restricts pesticides labeled for sale or use in, on or over a lawn except those on the Minister’s “Allowable List” Beginning April 2012 Pesticides labeled for outdoor tree, shrub, flower or other ornamental plant will be restricted

The Act The Act exempts: –Forestry –Agriculture –Golf course The Act does also not apply to: –Indoor use –Structural/Public Health (carpenter ants, fleas, bed bugs, rodents)

The Act The Act does apply to the use of specific pesticides on lawns and ornamentals, including: –Residential property –Apartment/condo buildings –Commercial property –Government property (Provincial and Municipal and likely Federal) –Cemeteries –Institutional (e.g. hospitals, schools, universities)

Exceptions to Prohibitions on Non-essential Pesticides Regulations The exceptions are: –animal that bites, stings, is venomous or carries disease or poisonous to human touch –fungus, plant or animal that may negatively affect a building, structure or machine –alien invasive species, other than a plant, that may negatively affect the health of humans, the environment or the economy –alien invasive species that are plants

Exceptions to Prohibitions on Non-essential Pesticides Regulations Only one active ingredient is allowed to treat poisonous plants, plants that may impact a structure or alien invasive plant species. a. i. – glyphosate, recognizable trade name is Round-up

Exceptions to Prohibitions on Non-essential Pesticides Regulations So how does someone buy a pesticide for excepted uses? Purchasers must speak with a certified vendor. Purchasers are not permitted direct access to pesticides that are for excepted uses.

Certified vendor Is required to provide written information about the circumstances under which the pesticide is permitted to be used.

Changing Behaviour Program philosophy: landscaping pesticides are not necessary so they now have more restrictions Community Based Social Marketing Approach Restrictions start at the retailers Students are verifying compliance through visits

Industry Education Landscape NS - industry association representing professional landscaper –help in getting messages out to their businesses –help with consumer advice for growing a healthy lawn Pesticide Wholesalers –very important group since they can help limit retailers’ product choices retailers – s and visits –there is not an industry association for this group

Public Education Brochures sent through all the major newspapers –promotion of healthy lawn practices to avoid the need for pesticides –promotion that there is a new law Minister’s program launch & press release Ongoing media interviews Nonprofit environmental education organizations conducting outreach throughout the spring –home shows, farmers markets, demonstrations

Strengthening Collaboration Health & Wellness IWK Canadian Cancer Society – Halifax Chapter Pesticide Free NS Landscape NS Retail Council of Atlantic Canada Retail outlets such as Halifax Seed, Home Hardware Communications NS