Media Releases

***THE PESTICIDE CODE OF QUEBEC***
From: AEHA QUEBEC <aehaq@aeha-quebec.ca>
To: aehaq@aeha-quebec.ca

Dear friends,

Today is a great day for Quebec. Ordinary citizens have achieved the
extraordinary! Congratulations to all of us!

Today, April 3, 2006 the final stage of the Pesticide Code of Quebec has
come into effect.

This means that 20 pesticide active ingredients are banned for sale and
use for lawns across the Province of Quebec. These ingredients are
contained in 210 products that will be prohibited for sale and use for
lawns all across our Province. The information on where to find the list
of banned pesticides and detailed information on the Code is given
below.

Thank you! to all our friends who have helped us achieve this. Friends
who include doctors, scientists, Non-Profit Groups, activists and
citizens across Quebec, Canada, the USA and around the world - your
timely support has backed up this great event and touched our hearts! We
called for your help several times over the years and you have answered
with your support without hesitation. Our sincere thanks to you.

For us in Quebec, as recipients of this remarkable, ground-breaking
Regulation; what responsibility does this present to us? We have to keep
informed of the protection the Code offers to us and our families. It is
important to be watchful to ensure that the Code is respected at all
times. After all, any regulation is only as good as its implementation.
It is up to us, the people of Quebec, to make sure that this happens for
us and our families all across the Province.

In light of this legislation, some of us will have to unlearn the
advertised message of toxic pesticides and mono-culture on our lawns.
Studies are out on the damaging effect of these pesticides even at
extremely low doses. How can we place the lawn over human health? This
is a great time, a time for change - a time to wholeheartedly accept
bio-diversity as the only way to live in health and respect the planet.
For help on gardening without pesticides, please visit our website:
www.cap-quebec.com

World-wide, the state of the environment is a matter of great concern.
Everyday we are experiencing the results of man's footprint on our
planet. In the midst of all this, the Pesticide Code of Quebec is a much
needed ray of hope. It is heartening to see that the Government of
Quebec has placed true prevention to protect human health above all else
and especially in the face of strong lobbying from industry. The people
have won here! Let us celebrate our victory with extreme vigilance and
pride. And maybe, some dandelion wine!

Here's to:

The Pesticide Code of Quebec!
Our children playing on pesticide-free grass!
Your health!

Michel Gaudet
President
Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (CAP)
Tel: (514) 875-5995 / (514) 795-5701
www.cap-quebec.com

Rohini Peris
President
Allergy and Environmental Health Association of Quebec (AEHAQ)
Tel: (514) 683-5701
www.aeha-quebec.ca

------------------
LIST OF PESTICIDE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BANNED IN QUEBEC:
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis-en/code-gestion-en/code-en
bref.htm#schedule1

THE NAMES OF THESE PRODUCTS CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis/code-gestion/a1-interdit-c
lasse3.pdf
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis/code-gestion/a1-interdit-c
lasse4.pdf

FOR A BRIEF AND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CODE, PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis-en/code-gestion-en/code-en
bref.htm
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis-en/code-gestion-en/index.h
tm

TO REPORT INFRACTIONS TO THE CODE CONTACT THE MINISTRY OF THE
ENVIRONMENT:

Information Centre:
Office hours: 8:30 am to 12:00 am and 13:00 pm to 4:30 pm
1 800 561-1616
info@mddep.gouv.qc.ca

Offices of the nine Regions of the Ministry of the Environment Quebec
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/ministere/rejoindr/adr_reg.htm

**** **** **** ****
****
Highlights of the Pesticide Code of Quebec
Pesticide Use Rules:

- it is prohibited to use the most toxic pesticides on the lawns of
public, semi-public and municipal green spaces, except for golf courses;
- it is prohibited to use the most toxic pesticides on the lawns of
private and commercial green spaces, as of April 2006;
- it is prohibited to use almost all pesticides inside and outside child
care centres and elementary and secondary schools, and specific rules
must be observed when using authorized pesticides;
- it is prohibited to use certain aerosols indoors;
- minimal distances must be observed when using pesticides or when
preparing pesticide mixtures near bodies of water, streams or rivers and
water intakes, for all types of equipment used;
- specified distances from watercourses and inhabited areas will also
have to be observed in the case of equipment causing significant aerial
drift (in orchards for example), during aerial spraying and when
pesticides are used in high-traffic vehicle, train or energy corridors;
- golf courses are required to submit triennial plans for the reduced
use of pesticides to the Ministère du Développement durable, de
l'Environnement et des Parcs, as of April 2006;
- application of information modalities for the public and the Ministère
du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs when certain
pesticides are used in forests and high-traffic vehicle, train or energy
corridors;
- billposting and pesticide warnings when pesticides are used in urban
areas and on golf courses;
- specific rules apply during fumigation (aeration, schedule, posting of
warnings);
- specific rules apply for aerial spraying (for example marking the
location);
- ground applications of pesticides to reduce adult biting insects is
prohibited;
- it is prohibited for commercial users to apply on lawn spaces
pesticides that are impregnated or mixed with a fertilizer, unless these
products are stored in separate containers.

Sale Rules:
- it is prohibited to sell fertilizer-pesticide mixtures and mixed
packages (e.g. herbicide and insecticide), as of April 2004;
- it is prohibited to display products intended for domestic use in a
way which makes these products accessible to the public, as of April
2005;
- it is prohibited to sell certain pesticides intended for domestic use,
as of April 2006.