A Maryland county passes pesticide ban

As reported in February and September, the council in Montgomery County has been debating a pesticide ban brought forward by Council President George Leventhal. In a 6-3 decision on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the panel passed a widespread pesticide ban that will go into effect in 2018.

 

“The right of a homeowner to maintain a weed-free lawn does not supersede the right of adjacent neighbors to be kept free of harm,” Leventhal said.

 

Karen Reardon, vice president of public affairs for RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), worked with residents, local businesses, and professionals to create a shared solution with the council.

 

“Lawmakers have spent nearly two years on a bill that provides no benefit to the citizens of Montgomery County,” said Reardon. “This bill is so extreme that it’s unenforceable. It’s also unnecessary. It puts the community’s health and workers’ livelihoods at risk. The council is going against federal and state regulatory guidance on what is safe and necessary for pest control, and also goes against the opinion of the National Cancer Institute, which says the scientific evidence to support such a ban is not conclusive.” 

 

More than 600 letters in opposition to the bill were submitted to the council by residents and local businesses, and approximately 100 individuals opposing the bill attended the final vote on Tuesday morning. 

 

Earlier this year, the Maryland Attorney General advised a general ban on pesticide application is likely preempted by state law.  The bill can be vetoed by the county executive within 10 days of Tuesday’s vote.