Government says pesticide ban backed

The details haven’t been announced, but Manitobans overwhelmingly support banning “cosmetic” pesticides, says the NDP government. “More than 2,000 people participated in our consultations and more than 70 per cent of them were in favour of increased regulation,” said Gord Mackintosh, minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship. “The federal government also recognizes the need for

Beekeepers ask courts to ban controversial pesticides

U.S. environmental regulators are failing to protect honeybees and should immediately suspend use of some toxic insecticides tied to the widespread deaths of bees, charges a new lawsuit. “It is a catastrophe in progress,” said migratory beekeeper Steve Ellis, who maintains 2,000 hives for pollinating crops from Minnesota to California. “We have an ongoing problem


In all areas of life, education is the key to success. The same applies to the use of pesticides wherever the application takes place. In Manitoba, there is a lack of education to the general public on the use of urban lawn care products. This could lead to a draconian ban, limiting people’s options to

CWB announces 2011-12 final payments

CWB is issuing final payments to farmers for the wheat, durum wheat and barley delivered during the 2011-12 crop year. Final and total payments for base grades basis Vancouver or St. Lawrence are 1 CWRS, 12.5 per cent $13.79/$290.49; 1 CWAD, 12.5 per cent $14.54/$345.24 and Select CW Two-Row barley $16.34/$312.94. A full list is


EU Commission wants curbs on pesticides to protect bees

Reuters / The European Commission said Jan. 31 it wanted EU member states to restrict the use of pesticides linked to the decline of bees. The commission said it was asking EU countries to suspend the use of neonicotinoid insecticides — among the most commonly used crop pesticides — on sunflower, rapeseed, maize and cotton.

Pallister calls for caution on cosmetic pesticide ban

Brian Pallister says Ontario’s ban has resulted in grass fields being replaced by artificial turf harbouring infectious bacteria

Banning pesticides from Manitoba lawns and sport fields could have unintended negative consequences, says Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party Leader Brian Pallister. Banning so-called “cosmetic pesticides” — those not used in agricultural production — in Ontario has resulted in “an explosion of artificial turf fields,” because grass fields have been overrun by weeds, Pallister said in


Letters, Jan. 10, 2013

Letters We welcome readers’ comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Please forward letters to

Cosmetic pesticide ban coming to Manitoba

Consultations on a possible cosmetic pesticide ban have now wrapped up, but one farm group is wondering if they will have any impact. Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh suggested a ban could come into effect next year, following a press conference just prior to the October deadline for submissions held by Cosmetic Pesticide


Letters — for 2012-09-20 00:00:00

What about donkeys? Your Sept. 13 story on coyotes by Daniel Winters featuring comments by Gord Schroeder, director of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, did not say anything about the efficacy of donkeys as anti-predator guards for sheep. Was this an oversight, or does Mr. Schroeder not regard them as worth mentioning? In this area

Deadline approaching to comment on cosmetic pesticide policy

Farmers and pesticide manufacturers are lining up against a proposed ban on cosmetic pesticides in Manitoba as the Oct. 1 deadline for public comment on the issue approaches. Even though agriculture, forestry and golf courses would be exempt if the province proceeds with a ban, Keystone Agricultural Producers president Doug Chorney said restricting cosmetic use