Proposed cosmetic pesticide ban published by Stratford

Stratford is moving ahead with a municipal ban on cosmetic pesticides, and people can now read the proposed bylaw.

The draft document was published online Thursday morning, as the mayor and council push ahead with a plan to move on the issue.

"Our initial preference would have been for the province to take this on," said Mayor David Dunphy.

"However that's not the case right now, and so we're going to move forwards with this bylaw. Our residents feel strongly about having some restrictions on cosmetic pesticides."

Early this week Charlottetown city council, across the river from Stratford, decided to set aside its bylaw and lobby the province once again for a province-wide ban. Councillors expressed concern about enforcement, and about safety concerns from residents spraying lawns themselves.

Stratford plans to appoint people or organizations to enforce the bylaw.

Bylaw allows some pesticide use

Golf courses, agricultural land and land used by public utilities would be exempt from the Stratford bylaw.

The bylaw also lists 40 products that would be allowed for pest control on lawns.

The bylaw allows for fines of up to $5,000.

The new bylaw, if passed, would come into effect Jan. 1, 2016.