Topdressing.biz News: The Pesticide Ban according to The Orangeville Banner in trouble

http://www.northpeel.com/br/orangeville/news/story/3358223p-3886938c.html

Concepts:
Topdressing and aeration are not discussed, bylaw, pesticides, education, council, residents, meeting, cost, lawn, ban, draft bylaw, homeowner, Orangeville, lawn care, restricting, treatments.

Summary:
The cost of using alternative and organic treatments on town land, instead of pesticides, is likely beyond the town's current financial capabilities.The document, authored by the mayor's environmental advisory committee (MEAC), was met with wide criticism from both residents and members of council at Monday night's public meeting.While many cited the draft bylaw as heavy-handed, others said it wasn't restrictive enough -- but most agreed the document was confusing and, in areas, incomplete.In short, it seeks a ban during July and August, spot spraying limited to 20 per cent of a landscape within a 30-day period, and requires commercial applicators to be IPM (integrated pest management) accredited.First to comment was Deputy Mayor Jim MacGregor, who said directly he wouldn't endorse the bylaw as drafted and offered specific amendments to the document.Gail Campbell noted the bylaw makes no mention of incorporating a public education campaign -- a point that was raised several times by residents during the meeting -- and also fails to address costs to the town and the terms under which complaints would be investigated."If Orangeville wants to ensure that pesticides are being used in a responsible [manner], we would recommend an education program -- education has been a huge success in agriculture," Besley said, noting that education has enabled Ontario farmers to reduce pesticide use by roughly 52 per cent.Both men, along with owners of local lawn care companies, offered to assist the town in creating and delivering an education campaign for Orangeville residents.Christina Bonhem, an employee of Orangeville's Dufferin Garden Centre, said the bylaw needs to place more emphasis on the homeowner

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