Potential Cosmetic Pesticide Ban

Are you ready for your golf course to look this this?

This may be one of the most important blog posts I ever write.  The BC Provincial Government is currently conducting a survey to determine if they will establish new legislation to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides.  If a ban is put into place, it would greatly affect not only how we maintain the course, but it would also change golf as we know it today.  Simply put, some pesticides, or control products as I like to call them, are necessary to combat turf pests that can wipe out golf course turf.

 

Golf course personnel that apply pesticides are licensed and trained to do so and we only apply as per a strict Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.  I do agree that these control products must be taken out of the hands of the misusers, which are typically homeowners, but not who responsibly apply them.  For further information regarding IPM, please visit the IPM Council of Canada here: http://www.ipmcouncilcanada.org/epar/Default.aspx

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) has taken a very proactive approach against the proposed ban.  The WCTA Board of Directors is made up of industry professionals that have an obvious vested interest in the outcome of this issue.  They have spent countless hours compiling information and meeting with lawmakers to ensure the voices of its members are heard.  I urge you to take the time to review the information on this webpage and make sure your voice is heard: http://www.wctaturf.com/topics/pdf/pesticide.pdf

I completely understand that this is one of those public concerns driven by "emotion", but all I ask is that you completely understand what the real pesticide issues are and what is at stake here if a ban is put into place.  I assure you, there is a lot of misinformation out there.