BRUNSWICK

Brunswick will now give preference to organic pesticides over chemical treatments on all town-owned land, thanks to ordinance amendments adopted by the town council on Monday.

The original land care ordinance, adopted in 2007, limited the use of pesticides on town-owned or leased property managed by the recreation department. The law is now applicable to all departments, including the school.

There are exceptions for instances of invasive species, such as brown tail moth, and a waiver must be issued by the code enforcement office for more harmful chemical treatments to be applied.

Councilor Steve Walker thanked resident Jean Powers for bringing the issue to the forefront.

Powers said the ordinance amendments should be adopted because synthetic pesticides are harmful to bees, birds, small animals and people. She said organic pesticides work as well as synthetic treatments without the toxicity.

Resident Richard Fisco added more mechanical methods should be used to treat brown tail moth infestations by cutting affected limbs before restoring to pesticide spraying.

According to the ordinance, all control products and soil amendments, including fertilizer and compost, will be products that can be used on Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association certified farms, and/or products permitted by the Organic Materials Review Institute or the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program.

The council will meet again on Sept. 5.