(Guelph, ON – December 10, 2009) – The introduction of the cosmetic pesticides ban earlier this year, brought with it the need to develop alternatives to the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes in the lawn care, landscaping, park maintenance and turf management sectors.
These alternatives are being researched and tested with the announcement of the Cosmetic Use Pesticide Research and Innovation (CUPRI) Program being administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC). The Ministry of the Environment made available $480,000 in funding to help create and evaluate ‘greener’ options to pesticides for landscaping purposes including lawns, gardens, parks and turf grass.
“The Cosmetic Pesticides Ban protects the environment and encourages the growth of innovative green industries in Ontario,” said Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen. “The CUPRI program is a key initiative in that effort.”
Throughout the summer, the AAC solicited project proposals from companies, commodity associations, trade organizations and research and academic institutions. The successful applicants were:
University of Guelph $112,968.00
New research projects at the University will evaluate alternatives to cosmetic pesticides to manage weeds in lawns, and fruit and vegetable gardens.
Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation $86,500.00
Biological control strategies will be identified and developed to address the problem of white grubs in lawns and turf grass.
6310907 Canada Inc. $60,000.00
The purpose of this project is to develop a fungus called Curvularia into an effective and selective bioherbicide for crabgrass.
Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation $21,000.00
The efficacy of the Mustard Bio-product CA-1 will be evaluated for use as a bioherbicide.
Environmental Factor Inc. $30,000.00
Hydrolyzed liquid corn gluten will be evaluated for efficacy in controlling weeds compared to the granular formulation
Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association $22,992.00
This project will look at the effectiveness of using steam and solarization treatments for weed control in ornamental gardens and lawns.
All of these projects will be completed by March 31, 2011.
“The MOE designed the CUPRI Program in recognition that research and innovation is a necessary part of ongoing pest control in Ontario,” says Jim Rickard, Chair of the Board of Directors of the AAC. “The Agricultural Adaptation Council is pleased to help allocate funds to companies and organizations in the sod, turf grass, landscape, and lawn care sectors. These projects will build on the already strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system used extensively by landscapers, turf specialists and farmers in Ontario where pest damage is minimized by a number of economically and environmentally sound methods including soil cultivation, resistant crop varieties and natural enemies.”
The Agricultural Adaptation Council sources and provides efficient, flexible and accountable funding programs with a primary focus on the Ontario agriculture and agri-food industry. The financially-assisted projects assist the sector to advance, innovate and improve profitability. The AAC is a non-profit coalition of 72 agricultural, agri-food and rural organizations in Ontario.
For more information:
Nadine Armstrong
Communications Manager
Agricultural Adaptation Council
Ph: 519-822-7554
Email: narmstrong@adaptcouncil.org
Website: www.adaptcouncil.org
