Update on impending changes to pesticide use in BC

I recently sent an email to Gwendolyn Lohbrunner,  IPM Licence Officer Integrated Pest Management Unit, Ministry of Environment  inquiring about the implementation of the Intentions Paper. She responded with the email below which indicated that the changes outlined in the intentions paper are likely what we will see starting in 2015.

Paul Visentin CEC coordinator IEPMA

Fri, Aug 1, 2014 at 10:40 AM

As you are aware, in October 2013 government proposed changes to the Integrated Pest Management regulation: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/ipmr/policy_intentions_paper.pdf. Following the ensuing consultation period, responses were reviewed and summarized: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/regs/cosmetic-pesticides/pdf/2014-comments-summary.pdf. Subsequently, small scale, targeted, follow up consultation has been conducted to investigate specific concerns and suggestions provided in the responses. We expect government to make a final decision soon.

As you may know, government`s intention was to restrict the use of pesticides not on Schedule 2 and 5 to licensees. Additionally, government intended to restrict access to these products in retail outlets. Based on follow-up consultation, we could see some minor changes but have not yet received any direction that a change from the Intentions Paper is occurring. With regard to the assistant applicator proposal, we do not expect any significant changes from what was described in the Intentions Paper.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Lohbrunner, MPM, RPBio
IPM Licence Officer
Integrated Pest Management Unit, Environmental Standards Branch
Ministry of Environment

phone: (250) 356-0475 fax: (250) 387-8897
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/