Don't ban cosmetic pesticides, B.C. MLAs recommend

There is not enough evidence to justify a provincewide ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides but the regulationsrestricting their use should be tightened, according to a special committee of B.C. MLAs.

"The majority of the committee does not think the scientific evidence, at this time, warrants an outright ban," explainedLiberal MLABill Bennett, who chaired the committee made up of five Liberal MLAs and three NDP MLAs.

Bennett said cancer has hit his family hard, and if he thought a pesticide ban would save lives, he would have recommended one. And even though a majority of public responses to the committee supported a ban, "the evidence just doesn't support the banning of cosmetic pesticide in B.C."

But the deputy chair of the committee, NDP environment critic Rob Fleming, said his partywas nothappy with the recommendationnot to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides in B.C.

"New Democrats are profoundly disappointed in the outcome of this process," said Fleming.

"Instead of making good on the premiers repeated promise to ban cosmetic pesticides, the Liberals have brought in minimal regulatory changes."

Premier andopposition leadersupported ban

Fleming was referring toa statementby Premier Christy Clarklast year that she supported aprovincewide ban.

"I support banning the cosmetic use of pesticides," said Clark after NDP OppositionLeader AdrianDix introduced a private member's bill last May to ban the sale, transfer or use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes that never became law.

The special committee was set upa month laterto consult residents about a possible ban.

Several environmentalist groups and the B.C. Cancer Society have also been calling for province-wide ban,and Quebec, Ontario and many B.C. municipalities already have bans in place, Fleming noted.

"We had an unprecedented level of public interest and participation for a legislative committee, reflecting a widespread consensus among the public and scientific community that the cosmetic use of pesticides pose an unnecessary health risk to children, pets and our water supply," said Fleming.

"There are viable non-synthetic alternatives that are already available and the associated health risks of cosmetic pesticides warrants government action to reduce everyday exposure to toxins that are potentially harmful and easily misused."