In preparation for the proposed legislation, Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment developed an education campaign in 2011, “Limiting our risk govt consultation 2009”.
Nova Scotia’s pesticide restrictions are outlined in “Pesticide Free? Oui!”.
“The Non-Essential Pesticides Control Act took effect in Nova Scotia on April 1, 2011. This law prohibited the cosmetic use of pesticides on lawns and was extended to trees, shrubs and ornamental flowers on April 1, 2012. A “List of Allowable Pesticides Regulations” set out active ingredients that are considered to pose a lower risk to human health and the environment. Any product containing active ingredients not on the list of allowable pesticides is prohibited. (This includes glyphosate) The ban applies to residential, commercial, government and institutional properties, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, parks and recreational infrastructures. It does not apply to golf courses or vegetable gardens.
There are also exemptions for the use of pesticides in specific circumstances. Pesticides containing the active ingredient glyphosate, which are generally prohibited, can be used to control plants that are poisonous to the touch, invasive plant species and plants that may damage buildings. There is also a broader exemption for the use of pesticides injected into outdoor trees. Although there are restrictions on which pesticides can be used under the first set of exemptions (e.g., only glyphosate products), this is not the case for the latter exempted uses. Neither is there any requirement for third-party certification at the point of sale to verify that the pesticides are actually being purchased for an exempted use. As in Ontario, retail display requirements prohibit self-service consumer access to mixed-use pesticides (i.e., products generally prohibited for cosmetic use but allowed under certain exemptions). Retailers must also supply customers with information concerning the legal exemptions allowing for the use of the pesticides.
Our review of subsequent developments in other provinces indicates that regulatory frameworks in Ontario and Nova Scotia are most consistent with these recommendations and offer the best models for protecting human health and the environment from cosmetic pesticides – although there is still room for improvement. The policies in these two provinces are the most comprehensive, in that they apply beyond lawns to other aspects of landscaping and prohibit a large number of pesticides. In both Ontario and Nova Scotia, the cosmetic pesticide ban is oriented around a credible list of lower-risk products permitted for use in public and private areas.
List of allowable products here.”
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