Pesticide Ban Request Could Take Months

City of Vernon staff are saying a request for a ban on non essential pesticides should not be a top priority.

The request was made by the Sustainable Environment Network Society Nov. 27, with the group saying it’s a health concern for everyone.

However, due to it’s busy workload, city staff say they won’t be able to prepare a report on the issue for council until April 23.

Councillor Catherine Lord  wondered if that timeline could be shortened, so that a ban, if aproved, could be put in place by the spring.

“There are a number of demands on staff. If council wants to move this up on the list, we will have to move others down,” said Kim Flick, Community Development Director.

There will be more discussion on the timeline at council’s January meeting.

Administration will be preparing a report including recommendations for council and background materials (including any previous reports) from the Cosmetic Pesticide Policy and Bylaw initiative which council provided direction for in 2009.