PESTICIDE USER LICENCE NOW
REQUIRED AT MULTI-RESIDENCES
VICTORIA Ministry of
Environment—The application of pesticides on multi-residence properties will
require a Pesticide User Licence beginning January 7, 2007.
By requiring pesticide uses
in multi-residence buildings to be performed under licence, the ministry is
ensuring that pesticides are being used safely and that people who may be
exposed to pesticides are informed of their use so they can take measures to
avoid the exposure.
The Pesticide User Licence is a requirement of the Integrated Pest Management Act Regulation. Under the regulation, any pesticide use in or around multi-residence properties with four or more units will require a Pesticide User Licence.
All property owners and
managers who apply pesticides will need to pass an exam on pest management and
the safe handling of pesticides, and also register with the Ministry of
Environment as pesticide applicators.
This regulation pertains to
the application of chemicals used for such things as eliminating bedbugs,
controlling cockroaches, combating rodents or even managing weeds.
Multi-residence property
managers will not need Pesticide User Licences if they hire licensed pest
management services to perform all pesticide applications or if they only apply
certain low-risk (“Excluded” Class) pesticides.
The Integrated Pest
Management Act and Regulation require that all pesticide use by licence holders
be part of an Integrated Pest Management program and that licence holders
provide pesticide use notices to all people who could be exposed to the
pesticide.
A recent survey of
multi-residence owners and managers found that the majority of respondents felt
the new licensing requirement promoted the safe use of pesticides, helped to
protect the environment and promoted best practices.
Contact Denis Knopov
at 604 582-5269 for more details or surf these URLs;
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/ipmp/pesticide_pdfs/multi_res_ipm_reg.pdf