Provincial Ministry Applies For Aerial Gypsy Moth Treatment in Richmond
26 Nov 2009
The provincial Ministry of Forests and Range has applied to the provincial Ministry of Environment to aerial spray 806 hectares in Richmond, with a spray approved for use on organic farms. The application, planned for spring 2010, is to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moth – an alien invasive species – and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards and trees.
The pesticide to be used, Foray 48B,containing the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis “kurstaki" variety (Btk) has been approved for the control of gypsy moth larvae in Canada since 1961. It has also been approved for use on organic farms by the Organic Material Review Institute. The Ministry’s application is not regulated by the City of Richmond’s Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514 which restricts the use of pesticides for cosmetic uses.
The Ministry advises residents are invited to submit their comments on the application for evaluation to the Integrated Pest Management Act administrator by December 18, 2009. If the Ministry of Environment approves the application, the public will have 45 days from approval date to submit comments on the approval.
The Ministry’s November 18, 2009 information bulletin titled Aerial Gypsy Moth Treatment Planned in Richmond, as well as other Ministry information on gypsy moth and Btk, is located at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/gypsymoth.
