District of Squamish will debate pesticide use and the potential ban for cosmetic use in the district at a Committee of the Whole meeting today.
The district staff will also update the council on current policies related to pesticides and the legal framework in which pesticide bylaw can be strengthened.
According to staff, there are bylaws limiting use of pesticides on residential lands for ornamental purposes in over 40 municipalities in BC.
Enforcement, however, usually concentrates on education and warnings before tickets are issued.
Any change to the current bylaw would require extensive public consultation due to its impact on residents, landscaping companies, stratas, and the ongoing battle against invasive species in the district.
The district first enacted the pesticide use bylaw in 1980, which restricted aerial spraying and governed the use of pesticides and herbicide.
In 1986, district enacted a policy limiting the use of certain pesticide. The Public Works Department of the district does not use pesticides.
Municipalities can establish bylaws for pesticide use on residential and municipal lands. However, these bylaws only apply to pesticides used to maintain outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, other ornamental plants and turf.
According to staff, the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council does use limited pesticides in some cases and particularly for Japanese Knotweed, an aggressive and damaging invasive species best treated with targeted, manual spraying with glyphosate by certified individuals.
Staff is recommending that that any future pesticide restrictions allow the use for invasive species management under controlled circumstances.
Pesticide is a blanket term that includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and council will give direction to staff today on any changes to the pesticide bylaw.
