What is the definition of the term cosmetic pesticide?
The debate as to what products can fairly be defined as cosmetic could go on ad nauseum. The term “cosmetic pesticide” has been defined as any pest control product used to improve appearance or aesthetics. But we think the definition has gone further than this. And all of this may open the door to legal challenge. The Government of Ontario has unofficially defined cosmetic pesticides to include any conventional pest control product used by the professional lawn care industry that, in an arbitrary fashion, it deems as unnecessary. Here is a personal communication that we received from the office John Gerretsen, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, on the matter of defining cosmetic pesticides, as well as alternatives to conventional pest control products: “The use of conventional pesticides for cosmetic purposes is an unnecessary and potential risk. The Ontario Government is providing funding to encourage the development of lower risk pesticides to support the transition from conven
