Chances are your community has a bylaw that restricts the use of 91裸聊视频渃hemical pesticides91裸聊视频� on public and private lands, including your lawn and garden.

I91裸聊视频檒l use the District of Saanich bylaw as an example of what B.C.91裸聊视频檚 environmentally conscious municipal governments impose on their citizens. Passed in 2010, this 10-page bylaw includes most of the modern notions about what is good and bad in managing plants and their pests. And much of it is politically correct rubbish.

The district91裸聊视频檚 web page lists a sprinkling of permitted pesticides, including vinegar, corn gluten meal, insecticidal or herbicidal soaps and mineral oils. It includes advice on making your lawn smaller because 91裸聊视频渘o mowing means no lawnmowers.91裸聊视频� In short, it is a hippie91裸聊视频檚 dream of a low-technology, natural world.

It gives a hit list of restricted pesticides, led of course by glyphosate (Roundup) and 2,4-D (Weed 91裸聊视频檔91裸聊视频� Feed or Killex are common brands). The bylaw defines restricted pesticides in general as 91裸聊视频渢raditional products containing synthetic chemicals.91裸聊视频�

The invokes the 91裸聊视频減recautionary principle,91裸聊视频� which means actual evidence of harm isn91裸聊视频檛 necessary for restrictions to be imposed. It includes strict descriptions of signs to be posted for any allowable application, and fines up to $10,000 for violating the detailed terms.

The bylaw warns of the allegedly urgent need to reduce the 91裸聊视频渃umulative chemical load91裸聊视频� in the natural environment. Setting aside the obvious point that all matter in the known universe is made of chemicals, one of the key features of products like Roundup is that they break down quickly.

This is why glyphosate was re-licensed in November for continued use in the European Union, where cultural battles over 91裸聊视频渃hemicals91裸聊视频� make B.C.91裸聊视频檚 precious protests seem calm and reasonable. This issue resonates with folks who buy homeopathic remedies containing zero active ingredient, or believe they need an occasional 91裸聊视频渃leanse91裸聊视频� to aid their kidney and liver function.

The idea that 91裸聊视频渟ynthetic chemicals91裸聊视频� are by definition the problem is one of the most damaging myths. Do you recall the most recent contaminated food scare? from California was pulled off store shelves after dozens of people became ill and two died after eating it in December.

The culprit in this case was e. coli, which Health Canada defines as bacteria that 91裸聊视频渓ive naturally in the intestines of cattle, poultry and other animals.91裸聊视频� Leafy greens can be contaminated by soil, inadequately composted manure, or improper handling and storing after harvest.

The last time I wrote on this topic, a reader demanded to know whether I have read Silent Spring, Rachel Carson91裸聊视频檚 iconic anti-DDT book that is credited with sparking the modern environmental movement.

I91裸聊视频檒l come clean. No, I haven91裸聊视频檛 read this 55-year-old book, which was quietly but thoroughly debunked after decades of uncritical public and media belief.

That religious faith changed with a by 11 scientific authors, called Silent Spring at 50: The False Crises of Rachel Carson. It destroys many of her key conclusions, particularly the title91裸聊视频檚 claim that DDT was behind a collapse of American bird populations.

91裸聊视频淔ar from being on the verge of collapse, American bird populations were, by and large, increasing at the time of Silent Spring91裸聊视频檚 publication,91裸聊视频� the authors write. 91裸聊视频淎lthough Carson was active in the Audubon Society, she ignored Audubon91裸聊视频檚 annual bird count, which had long been the best single source on bird population.91裸聊视频�

Carson also ignored the millions of human lives saved from malaria death by DDT, misrepresented rising cancer deaths that were mainly due to smoking and people living longer, and overstated the safety and effectiveness of 91裸聊视频渘atural91裸聊视频� pest control using predator insects.

Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca