London passes pesticide bylaw

On June 12, 2006, London city council voted 13-6 in favour of a new bylaw that bans the cosmetic use of pesticides in the city.

The Canadian Cancer Society supports the ban on the ornamental use of pesticides because:

• The Canadian Cancer Society is very concerned with the potential long-term effects associated with the ornamental or cosmetic use of pesticides.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states that some substances used in pesticides are classified as known, possible or probable carcinogens. In some cases while evidence linking pesticides and cancer is not scientifically definitive it is suggestive and growing.
• While most studies have focused on occupational exposures, some studies are suggesting that vulnerable populations, such as children and those with weak immune systems, may be the most at risk to pesticide exposure.
• The Canadian Cancer Society believes that if there is a threat to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken, even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.
• Since the ornamental (cosmetic) use of pesticides has no countervailing health benefit - and has the potential to cause harm - we are calling for a 100% ban on the ornamental use of pesticides.

In addition, the majority of Londoners support a ban on the use of ornamental pesticides. A recent poll conducted by Oracle Poll Research demonstrated that the majority of Londoners supports such a bylaw:

• 81% of Londoners want to phase-out pesticides in city parks and 74% (nearly 3 out of 4) support a phase-out on private residential property
• 71% of Londoners feel cosmetic pesticides are a health threat to children and pose a health threat to pets such as cats and dogs
• 74% of Londoners believe pesticides are a threat to the environment, including wildlife, air quality, and ground water