Ban based on politics, not science, say pesticide companies

Representatives of companies that manufacture lawn chemicals are expressing their displeasure at P.E.I.'s announcement that it is banning cosmetic pesticides.

'People want to protect their homes.' — Shannon Coombs, Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association

The groups made presentations to the legislative committee that looked into the issue, but were surprised to hear Monday the Island intends to go ahead with a ban in 2010. Shannon Coombs, president of the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association, told CBC News the province should focus on education instead of preventing people from buying the products.

"Taking a ban approach is not the way to go with respect to these products, because they do provide benefits," said Coombs.

"People want to protect their homes from insects, from crab grass and noxious weeds and things like that and they should have the right to do so."

Not a 'popularity contest'

Environment Minister Richard Brown believes most Islanders agree with the idea of a ban, and that eliminating pesticides used on lawns will help protect the drinking water.

Lorne Hepworth, president of Croplife — another national group that represents pesticide manufacturers — said all pesticides are registered by Health Canada, and are safe if used properly.

"Leading a province and a country, you know this is not some kind of popularity contest when it comes to ensuring the public safety and ensuring that the environment is safeguarded," said Hepworth.

"The day that we start abdicating, and delegating and relegating to political whimsy and polling and fear-mongering and uninformed and misinformed public policy, I think it's a sad day for all of us here in Canada, and particularly Prince Edward Island."

Both groups say they will be talking to government about the ban in the coming days to try to convince the province that it isn't the way to go.