Province to examine possibility of pesticide buffers around schools
Last updated at 12:54 AM on 04/10/07
WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian
The P.E.I. government is examine the possibility of establishing one-kilometre buffer zones around Island schools to ensure pesticide sprays stay at bay.
Green Party Leader Sharon Labchuk pitched the idea during a meeting with cabinet ministers Wednesday.
Labchuk met with Health Minister Doug Currie, Education Minister Gerard Greenan and Environment Minister George Webster.
Following the meeting, Webster said the province is going to ask staff to review school properties Islandwide to see how much land would have to be taken out of production to implement the one-kilometre buffer zones.
There are currently no buffer zones around Island schools which means potatoes and other crops can be grown as close to Island school as the farmer’s land allows. That means schools in some strictly rural areas, like Westisle composite high school in Elmsdale, are surrounded by farm land.
That worries Labchuk.
The outspoken environmentalist said she believes pesticides are making Island students sick at school.
