Cosmetic pesticides banned in N.L.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government said Thursday it will ban both the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides for residential lawns.

Environment Minister Ross Wiseman said the decision came after weighingarguments from various points of view.

"We have listened to the concerns raised by many individuals and groups in the province, analyzed the research conducted by numerous sources, looked at other jurisdictions and, as a result, will implement a ban on cosmetic pesticides that are currently being used for lawn care," Wiseman said in a statement.

The ban will take effect next year.

The government has been under pressure from environmentalists to follow other jurisdictions that have banned cosmetic pesticides.

"We really feel it's long overdue, and we're really looking for some positive news," St. John's Coun. Sheilagh O'Leary said in advance of the announcement.

The government is banning a specific list of chemicals:

• carbaryl
• 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)
• mecoprop
• dicamba
• MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid)

The move does not affect alternatives for lawn care that have met standards set by Health Canada, Wiseman said. Examples of these products include corn gluten meal and insecticidal soaps.