The Pesticides Control (Restriction of Lawn-care Products) Amendment Act will ban the sale and use of domestic class pesticides that are combination products, hose-end products, pesticide concentrates, and spreadable granulars. These groups amount to some 240 end-use pesticide products. In addition, the use of pesticides containing the active ingredient 2,4-D will be restricted to application on golf courses.

Following the scheduled April 1, 2010, implementation of this new legislation, a number of ready-to-use insecticides, herbicides and fungicides will continue to be available for sale and use within PEI. All lawn-care fertilizers will also continue to be available.

“Licensed landscape applicators must now hold a certificate from the department’s Pesticide Regulatory Program. To obtain this certificate, a person must have training in integrated pest management approaches that de-emphasize the use of pesticides as the primary way of dealing with the weeds, fungi or harmful insects,” said Minister Brown. “Government’s aim in bringing in these amendments is to stop the misuse and overuse of powerful lawn care chemicals. I believe this approach will achieve that goal.”

The new act has been closely modelled after similar legislation to be enacted in mid-December in the Province of New Brunswick.

For more information on the restriction on lawn pesticides visit the Environment, Energy and Forestry website www.gov.pe.ca/enveng or the Domestic Pesticides page.

BACKGROUNDER

Changes to the Pesticides Control Act

Pesticides Control (Restriction of Lawn-care Products) Amendment Act

A ban on the sale and use of domestic lawn pesticides

The program will go into effect April 1, 2010. Banned domestic lawn care pesticides will include:

1. Combination products (e.g., fertilizer–herbicide blends)

2. Concentrates requiring dilution before use

3. Hose-end products (also concentrates)

4. Granular products

5. Products containing the active ingredient 2,4-D

As part of this initiative, lawn-care pesticides will not be used on Crown-owned property, with the exclusion of golf courses.

As of April 1, 2010, homeowners may not purchase or apply any of the over 240 pesticides that meet the criteria of the Over-the-Counter Products banned list.

Homeowners may still purchase and apply ready-to-use lawn care pesticides that do not meet the banned criteria.

As of April 10, 2010, retailers will not be permitted to sell the products that meet the criteria of the Over-the-Counter Products banned list.

Lawn Care Companies

A lawn care company applying pesticides must hold a valid Class E (landscape) Pesticide Application Business Licence.

A company holding a Class E Pesticide Application Business Licence must submit, annually, a detailed record of their pesticide use.

Each individual who may apply a pesticide for a lawn care company must hold a valid Class E (landscape) Pesticide Applicator Certificate. This certification includes training in Integrated Pest Management.

The broadcast application of a pesticide by licensed applicators will be discouraged.

2,4-D Banned for Lawn Care

Pesticides containing the active ingredient 2,4-D may no longer be used on lawns. The use of pesticides containing 2,4-D will be restricted to application on commercial golf courses.