Kamloops voting on pesticides
July 14th, Kamloops City Council will make a decision to ban domestic cosmetic pesticides. Kamloops residents have a chance to vote in support or decline the proposed ban. If the proposed bylaw passes, both residents and professionals will not be permitted to spray synthetic chemical products: used to improve the appearance of landscapes by maintaining turf, outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, or other ornamental plants.
The ban would take pesticides out of the hands of professionals which could cause more harm. In a systematic review of scientific literature, the Ontario College of Family Physicians found “consistent links to serious illnesses, such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases” associated with long-term exposure to pesticides. Children are particularly vulnerable. In addition to human health risks, pesticides also threaten pollinators, helpful insects essential to our food supply. Even small amounts of certain pesticides are known to affect bee longevity, memory, navigation and foraging abilities.
These risks are unnecessary. Organic gardening techniques and alternative products are effective and already widely available. Pesticides Pesticides Pesticides
