Thursday, October 6, 2005 The Journal Pioneer Government unveils changes to pesticide control act by JIM BROWN CHARLOTTETOWN - The Province is moving forward with sweeping changes to the Pesticides Control Act. The first amendments to the Pesticides Control Act regulations will come into effect Jan.1, 2006, with further changes being phased in over the following year. Environment Minister Jamie Ballem said proposed changes to the act and regulations address all aspects of pesticides on the Island, from transportation and storage requirements to the sale and application of both domestic and non-domestic pesticide products. Dr. Irene Novaczek, a marine biologist and environmentalist, gave a harsh appraisal of the government's response to the pesticide issue. In terms of paying attention to the concerns about human health posed in studies, and in the Island's record of controlling pesticide use compared to other provinces such as Quebec, P.E.I. would have to rate an "F", said Novaczek. She said one key provision, a 10-metre no-spray zone around schools, seniors homes, hospitals and other buildings, is grossly inadequate. Schoolchildren and seniors in frail health are the most vulnerable to pesticides, she said. Novaczek went on to say an Environment Canada study conducted in 1998-1999 and whose findings were released to relatively little fanfare earlier this summer, showed pesticide residues were distributed throughout the Island. The study examined the impact of pesticides on wildlife, but those findings also carry serious implications for humans. "Risks to wildlife are risks to humans too," she stated. As for the government's new regulations, she stated, "We are inching in the right direction" but only "infinitesimally," she stressed. Ivan Noonan, general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board, said, in an interview this morning, he wasn't aware of the details of the regulations, but would be studying them closely. Noonan also said growers are have been very responsive to the public's concerns about agricultural practices and are careful about their use of pesticides. He went on to say there are many on the Island who immediately blame growers whenever there is environmental damage, such as fish kills. Improper highway work, for instance, is a big factor in damage to waterways, he said. Ballem, in a news release stated, "Government's primary objective in considering the amendments was to safeguard the health and well-being of Islanders. I believe this new regulatory framework will help us achieve that objective. "Together, these changes will significantly reduce risks associated with pesticide use, and provide for greater protection of public health and our natural environment." Last year, a report entitled Recommendations for the Regulation of Pesticides in Prince Edward Island, was completed by the Environmental Advisory Council which is appointed under the Environmental Protection Act to advise the Minister on issues of environmental concern. The report, based on extensive consultations with Islanders, included 44 recommendations in the areas of pesticide sales, purchase and application; vendor and applicator training; posting and notification of pesticide applications; record keeping; display, transportation, storage and disposal of pesticides; enforcement of regulations; and reduction of risks associated with pesticide use. Following the release of the Environmental Advisory Council report, Ballem appointed an implementation working group consisting of members to examine in detail the implications of each recommendation and develop an implementation schedule. Ballem said his government intends to implement the majority of recommendations in the Environmental Advisory Council report with little or no change. Among the key amendments to be phased in between 2006 and 2007: o The Province will adopt a classification system for domestic class pesticides (similar to the one used in Quebec), which separates products into two categories based on their potential risk to human health and the natural environment. This will avoid duplication of work and cost substantially less than P.E.I. creating its own classification system. o A business selling higher risk (Category 2) domestic pesticides must be licensed, and the products sold through a dispensary system (behind the counter) by trained and certified staff. o For all landscape, structural, fumigation or soil fumigation applications of a non-domestic or Category 2 domestic pesticide, advance notification must be provided to the owners of property within 25 metres of a treated area, and signs must be posted on treated areas. o A protected zone, the width of the watercourse buffer zones, will be established around any open body of water as defined in the Pesticides Control Act; and the application of a pesticide within this protected zone will be prohibited. According to the news release Ballem will request voluntary compliance with the establishment of a protected zone of 10 metres from the boundary of all public areas such as schools, hospitals and parks; with the protected zone to be created through the efforts of both the agricultural community and the institutions involved. Pesticides would not be applied in the voluntary protected zones. Other provisions include o A measure stating maximum allowable wind speed for the application of a pesticide using ground application equipment will be reduced from 25 kms per hour to 20 km per hour; and aerial application of a pesticide will be banned. o Sharply rising fines. Fines for violations of the Pesticides Control Act or regulations will be increased to a minimum $1,000 and maximum $50,000 for individuals, and a minimum $5,000 and maximum $250,000 for a corporation. Ballem has written to the federal minister of health to seek research assistance on the need for buffer zones in areas where pesticide products are being applied. Ballem stated rather than proceeding with a recommendation that agricultural pesticide applicators provide an annual pesticide application schedule to property owners within 25 metres of the land being treated, the Province will establish a government and industry committee to explore other options. Providing a list of products that may or may not be used during the season, depending on weather and crop conditions, does not meet the need for timely and accurate pesticide application information. http://www.journalpioneer.com/news.aspx?storyID=41285