Posted on 07/31/2006 4:07:48 AM PDT by Clive
MONTREAL - The Quebec government has declared an end to the perfect, dandelion-free lawn with a sweeping pesticide ban that took effect in April, but some turf-loving diehards are not ready to surrender. Hardware stores across the border in Ontario report that Quebecers are buying cartloads of such products as Killex and Grub-B-Gon to smuggle back home.
Jean-Francois Bertrand, owner of the Home Hardware in Hawkesbury, Ont., about 80 kilometres west of Montreal, said he has seen a steady stream of Quebec customers looking for a pesticide fix.
"They're extremely upset," he said in a telephone interview. "With the grubs, the white worms, once you have that in your grass you're done for, so if you can't kill that, your lawn is finished."
Mr. Bertrand said customers are coming from Montreal and its western suburbs, where large lots boast luxurious lawns. "It's nothing to see a person come in the store and fill a basket with those products," he said, naming Killex and Roundup as the most popular.
The Canadian Tire in Hawkesbury has also seen a spike in pesticide sales since Quebec banned the sale of a vast array of common garden products. "We are not asking for ID from the customers, but I am sure there are Quebecers," said Stephane Seguin, who handles purchasing for the store. "The increase is 20-25% over last year."
The impact has been felt as far away as Ottawa. Neill Ritchie of Ritchie Feed and Seed Ltd. in the capital said he hears regularly from Quebec customers relieved that they are finding products outlawed in their home province. "There is a section of people that want nice lawns, and they understand the products are safe," he said.
Some people are stocking up with several years worth of chemicals. "They've created the same as Prohibition," Mr. Ritchie said of the Quebec government. "It's illegal to get it there, but there's an underground black market sale for it."
Michel Vallieres, a regional director for the Quebec Environment Department in Quebec City, considers the cross-border pesticide shopping a marginal phenomenon that will not undermine the new ban. "It's maybe a few hundred people, a few hundred extra products sold," he said. "For the Ministry, it's not troubling."
The province's new pesticide code, which it describes as "one of the most innovative in North America," outlaws the sale of the most toxic pesticides and prohibits lawn-care companies from using them. It does not, however, provide for fines for individual homeowners who get their hands on the products.
More than 70 Canadian municipalities have passed bylaws restricting the cosmetic use of pesticides. Mr. Vallieres said Quebec expects Ontario will follow its lead, which would eliminate the smuggling problem. He said the ban has been a success so far.
"For sure there are a few more dandelions, but there is no infestation," he said. "We are going to have to start looking at lawns differently. They can be just as beautiful, but with different species, including a few dandelions."
Debra Conlon, executive director of the Urban Pest Management Council of Canada, which represents pesticide manufacturers and distributors, said Quebec has overreacted. She said Health Canada has declared chemicals banned in Quebec -- such as 2,4-D -- safe as long as instructions are followed. "It doesn't surprise me that people see benefits to pesticides and have faith in Health Canada's regulatory system," she said in response to reports of Quebecers buying the products in Ontario.
-
This is right out of a Philip K. Dick novel.
Gotta love the Quebecois ATTITUDE! Je me souviens!
Dandelions are good in salads. That is unless you spray them :-)
As usual, the libs will accomplish exactly the opposite of their "intentions"....and claim moral superiority and victory - although things end up worse than when they got involved.
When pesticides are outlawed, only outlaws will have green yards
"The Quebec government has declared an end to the perfect, dandelion-free lawn with a sweeping pesticide ban"
Pesticides are for killing insects, not weeds.
I believe Bayer Advanced does not poison the environment with this grub killer. I targets only grubs and makes them not hungry so they starve to death.
More money for the Mohawks.
Lots of trafficking through the Akwesasne Reserve and an increase in the number of fast launches on the St Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.
We can do a trade deal......you send us your full flow 'Turlits' and we will send you poison!
BTW, I do not use pesticides or anything chemical on my lawn at my mother's house. She has some magick combo of beer,dish soap and a capful of ammonia that she uses for the lawn. It's very green and lush and my pond fish are safe and so is my dog.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Looks like the ban covers weed killer, too.
I took the liberty of translating your French, using the original French from France (as opposed to Quebequoi). Here is the translation:
"We surrender. We surrender. We surrender. We surrender."
Please send me a FReepmail to get on or off this Canada ping list.
Hard to tell, you have to infer from the article what the ban covers.
I suspect Round-up might be on the list.
Nanny state ping.
This is an idiotic statement, since Ottawa is located directly across the Ottawa River from the city of Hull, Quebec. The writer of this article should open a map and get a quick lesson in Canadian geography.
They have to be applied in late summer to get the eggs and young larvae.
Toronto bans pesticides and herbicides but they are still sold at Home Depot stores in Toronto as the surrounding municipalities don't ban them. The shopkeepers do not require proof of exurban residence.
Toronto also allows herbicides to go after dandelions if they cover more than 5 percent of the lawn. and pesticide for grub infestation with the following guidelines:
In a well-watered lawn, 15 grubs per 0.1 m2 (approx.1 square ft) may be an infestation
On a lawn that has been poorly watered over the season, 5-10 grubs per 0.1 m2 may present an infestation
For chinch bugs - which are measured using a water-filled can - 20 bugs per can may be an infestation
Go figure.
I suspect this is nothing more than the writer (Graeme Hamilton) trying to make the most of his article. If you write for a living, you have to write or you don't make a living...
I have no idea why people become Nazis like this. My God, it's illegal for a kid to ride a bike without a helmet.
To the best of my knowledge RoundUp is essentially non-toxic to the animal kingdom, but deadly to pretty much any green plant. It sure kills any grass you accidentally overspray, real good.
Or bleach. It works great re: stuff coming up through the cracks in the sidewalk and drive way.
Nope. Pesticide is a generic term that includes herbicides of all types and insecticides. Check your state's pesticide licensure laws.
Weed? Killer?
Mary Jane? What a confusing title!
I believe this ban is similar to the one in Toronto. Both pesticides and herbicides have been banned. The envirowackos got their way. They were claiming there is no proof they are 100% safe and cite reports that show pesticide and herbicide residues are greater in homes than outside of homes because people track them inside where they don't break down. They accumulate in carpets and such. After all, its for the children. And I would not be surprised if Ontario follows suit. Since most of the political power resides in Toronto, and they already enacted a ban there, the ultralibs of Ontario, conentrated in Toronto, will make the whole province follow suit. After all, Toronto knows what's best for everyone.
But if you use them in Toronto, your neighbors can report you if you have a nice, healthy lawn or see you applying them. They come out with test kits and if it's in your lawn, you get a fine.
Typical Nanny State Logic.............
If you think you need to wash your hands after handling anything, it should be banned.
What are pest control companies allowed to use, fly swatters? Good luck with wasps and hornets.
I am a WASP - White And Scandinavian Protestant
Chicken (for cooking)? Puppies? Gas and oil for your car? Paint for your house? Oven cleaner? Liquid Plumber? Soil and compost for your garden? All have hand washing after handling.
Bleu cheese?
The ban's been a huge success, except for the "smuggling problem."
(scratching head) Where have we heard THAT before????
I'm afraid you'll have to come with me, sir. You have 5 pounds of bug-be-gone. That's called possesion with intent to disribute.
Book 'em, Dano!
Thanks for the ping!
"You 'vil HAVE der dandelions, unt you 'vil LIKE der dandelions."
In our town the city can fine you if you have too many Dandelions in your lawn. I look accross the street at the city park and it's covered with Dandelions.
Turn in your gasoline, please. It has just been banned.
My elderly neighbor used to walk around his yard with a can of gas and paint brush and would brush the tips of onion grass he found with the gas. He had the best looking yard on the street.
How odd. I just use it to kill bees.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.