Tim Hudak, MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook, wrote to Environment Minister John Gerretsen on Friday to ensure he includes the spraying for gypsy moths under the list of exempted uses of his proposed Bill 64 – the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act.

Bill 64 aims to ban improper and over-use of pesticides in Ontario by prohibiting the sale and use of more than 300 different types of pesticides. The Bill allows for some exempted uses, such as for agriculture and on golf courses. Hudak urged Minister Gerretsen to also consider the spraying for gypsy moths as a necessary use of pesticides, and therefore exempt it from the pesticide ban.

See MPP Tim Hudak’s letter to Minister John Gerretsen below:

May 2, 2008

Hon. John Gerretsen
Ministry of the Environment
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5

Dear Minister Gerretsen,

On April 22, 2008, you introduced Bill 64 – the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act – which is purported to ban the sale and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes. However, you did include some exempted uses in the legislation, such as for agriculture, on golf courses, and for managing forestry issues. Residents and municipal leaders in Niagara and Hamilton are concerned that Bill 64 will effectively ban the spraying of gypsy moths in areas other than those used for agriculture.

As you know, gypsy moths have spread in alarming numbers across the Niagara region, City of Hamilton and surrounding areas over the past couple of years. Gypsy moths are particularly dangerous pests, because they are known to consume more than 500 different plant species. In 2007, the area affected by gypsy moth infestation more than doubled to 31,000 acres. Arbourists who have studied this annual invasion predict the defoliated areas will grow even larger in 2008.

A number of local municipalities, such as Hamilton and West Lincoln, have implemented cost-shared aerial spraying programs with local residents to combat the gypsy moth problem. I have joined these municipalities and property owners in calling on the Province to come forward with its own cost-shared spray program. These affected municipalities and property owners have expressed concern that the Province, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, has refused to participate in a cost-shared spray program, which has proven to be very effective in the past in controlling the moth population. Now, to make matters worse, many are worried that if this new pesticide legislation becomes law, it will effectively terminate any municipal programs and property owners’ abilities to spray for gypsy moths on their own.

Minister, if left unchecked, the gypsy moth infestation will no doubt continue to spread into new territory – including provincially protected areas like the Niagara Escarpment and the Ontario Greenbelt. I kindly request that you confirm that spraying for gypsy moths will be allowed to continue should the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act becomes law.

In closing, please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely,

Tim Hudak, MPP
Niagara West-Glanbrook