Officials in B.C.’s Interior are upset the province seems to have swatted their latest stab at mosquito control aside like an annoying insect.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District board chair Natalya Melnychuk says mosquitoes are taking a bite out of life in several areas of the regional district.
In an email letter to Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, and Food and Minister of Environment and Parks Tamara Davidson, Melnychuk states the CSRD employs aerial and ground applications of costly larvicide and continually looks to improve the service in a cost-effective way.
“Fortunately, there is a solution,” she said.
She’s referring to the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or drones. The agricultural sector is already using drones to spray fertilizers, and Transport Canada recently issued nationwide approval for their use in avalanche control.
“The use of RPAS would transform the mosquito control industry in B.C., and in doing so would address many priorities highlighted in your ministry mandate letters,” wrote Melnychuk in her Sept. 12 email. “Provincial certification for RPAS will provide employment and significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.”
Melnychuk said helicopters are very expensive and often unavailable for aerial spraying due to use in forest fires. As well, the labels on many registered pesticides are being reviewed for use by drones.
“However, what is missing is the approval from provincial government to allow this certification process that permits the use of RPAS for pest management application.”
In B.C., workers who provide mosquito control and invasive plant treatment are required to be certified and there is no B.C. certification process or category specific for RPAS applications.
In a Nov. 3 response, Davidson declared her understanding of the negative impact mosquitoes have, and the potential benefits of drones. But the ministry is busy with other matters.
“While this issue has been a high priority for my ministry to address, ministry resources have been focussed on completing implementation of recent amendments to the Integrated Pest Management Regulation,” she wrote. “When resources become available, we will consider how we can support this important initiative.”
CSRD Area A director Karen Cathcart called Davidson’s response concerning.
“I thought that letter was ‘thanks, but we’ll get to it when we get to it,” she said.
The district is exploring appeals for support from tourism associations and other local governments in its effort.
Read more: Drones sought by contractor for mosquito control in Columbia-Shuswap
Read more: Mosquito control returning to Scotch Creek, Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
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