Atlantic ministers plan cosmetic pesticide action

Atlantic environment ministers are working together towards a unified set of regulations governing the sale and use of pesticides for lawns.

'They'll be able to go to Nova Scotia and purchase the stuff that is banned here on P.E.I.' — P.E.I. Environment Minister Richard Brown

A ban on many lawn chemicals is already in place in New Brunswick, and P.E.I. intends to bring in similar legislation in 2010. There is no legislation being planned in Nova Scotia.

The ministers are meeting in St. John's this week, and on the agenda is an effort to unify legislation so people will not simply go to another province to buy products banned where they live.

"People will have that option. They'll be able to go to Nova Scotia and purchase the stuff that is banned here on P.E.I," said P.E.I. Environment Minister Richard Brown.

"They'll not be able to go to New Brunswick because we're basically bringing in the same set of regulations they're bringing in so it's a thing we have to work with, but today's meeting has shown that co-operation does exist there."

All four Atlantic provinces will have officials on a regional committee on cosmetic pesticide legislation.