Ontario's Environment Ministry will review three sections of the province's Pesticide Act which exempt pesticide manufacturers from the act's regulations.

Sparked by the July 2007 fire at Biedermann Packaging, and revelations that the company was exempt from legislation requiring information about chemicals and pesticides be provided to the local fire department, and other standards in the act, Environment Hamilton made several requests to the province's Environmental Commissioner, for the ministry to review three specific sections of the act related to manufacturer's exemptions.

The requests were forwarded to the Ministry of Environment for a decision. And in two separate letters, Assistant Deputy Minister Carl Griffith informed Environment Hamilton had concluded reviews of all three secions will be undertaken.

"Due to the complex nature of the issue, I expect the review of this matter will be completed by December 31, 2009," Mr. Griffith's letter stated. "You will be provided with the results of this review within 30 days of its completion.

"Should the ministry's review indicate that regulatory amendments are required, any proposed changes will be posted on the Environmental Registry for public consultation."

Environment Hamilton specifically requested amendment of two sections which require only pesticide vendors, who sell the products, and pesticide operators, who apply the products, to report information to a local fire department. Under the suggested amendment all companies that manufacture and store pesticides would be required to notify the fire deparment. The community group also requested a review of another section which specifically exempts reformulaters and manufacturers from the requirements of the act.