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4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 20, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Public input expected on pesticide debate Continued from page 1 started talking about this issue, we were on the cutting edge. Now we're far behind 120 municipalities across Canada." Knoll is calling for a bylaw that would ban the use of pesticides within the town's boundaries, except on land used for the commercial production of food, and on golf courses that employ a groundskeeper accredited in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Pesticides would also be allowed if used in a swimming pool, inside a building, for the purposes of purifying water, or to control animals, plants or other organisms harmful to human health. Under the proposed bylaw, pesticides are defined as substances (other than those derived from plant material or containing microbial pest control agents) that are intended to "control, destroy, reduce or repel, directly or indirectly, an animal, plant or other organism which is harmful or annoying to a human being," as well as substances intended to inhibit or prevent the growth of plants. Knoll is proposing the bylaw come into effect on Jan. 1, 2008. The issue of a possible ban on pesticide use first came before Town council in the fall of 2002. An extensive staff report on the issue in the spring of 2003 recommended against regulating pesticide use, partly because similar bylaws in other municipalities were still facing court challenges. At that time, councillors voted to undertake a public education program to reduce the amount of pesticide use in the community, as well as to seek the public's opinion on the issue through a referendum question on the municipal election ballot in November 2003. In response to that question, about 52 per cent of town voters said they wouldn't support a pesticide ban. The issue returned to the council table in Feb. 2004, when a motion to ban pesticide use that had been introduced by Knoll, failed on a six-to-six tie vote. Knoll believes the newlyformed Town council will support him on the issue this time around, and suggests public support for the idea has also been growing. "We are seeing increased interest on the part of the public," he said. "It's an issue whose time has come." He noted that the courts have determined that municipalities have the right to regulate pesticide use, and believes there is enough evidence around health concerns to warrant a stop to the practice of spraying lawns to eliminate dandelions. And while Knoll is aware that some people will perceive this bylaw as an attack on property rights, he believes restrictions are necessary to protect the community from the health impacts of "second-hand pesticide use." "This is a property right that is not able to be restricted to the property at hand," he says. Along with the ban, Knoll's motion calls for the creation of a council-led task force to create and exe- cute a public education plan, as well as to develop a strategy to encourage pesticide retailers to cooperate with the bylaw. Although the Town has the right to ban the use of pesticides, it cannot stop retailers from legally selling pesticide products locally. Knoll admits that enforcement of a pesticide ban will be difficult, but notes that over 120 Canadian municipalities have already instituted similar bylaws. If council were to adopt his proposed bylaw, Town staff would be asked to report back on how other municipalities have implemented and enforced their pesticide regulations. Knoll adds that many of the Town's bylaws are difficult to enforce, but still worthy and necessary. He also believes that public compliance would be high. "The vast, vast majority of the people will respect the fact that the law is in place," he said. At the Feb. 5 meeting, a significant number of delegations ­ including representatives from the pesticide industry and the environmental lobby ­ will likely offer their opinions on Knoll's proposal. Previous discussions on the issue have lasted for dozens of hours over a number of meetings. OAKVILLE BEAVER CONTEST WINNER Christmas Gift-Give-A-Way Big Contest Winner! Elena Verga, of Oakville is the big winner of our Christmas Gift Give-away Contest. Elena went home with fantastic products and gift certificates totalling almost $3,500. Special Features Editor; Shannon Mastaler and Advertising Co-ordinator; Priyanka Sekhar from The Oakville Beaver were pleased to present Elena with this great prize. Congratulations!