Health Minister Anne McLellan introduced new federal pesticide legislation intended to do more to protect children and keep the country’s food supply safe.

Environmental groups welcomed the new Pest Control Products Act, but complained that it doesn’t go far enough, especially dealing with so-called cosmetic pesticides, such as those used to keep lawns and golf courses green.

If passed the bill would require:

-that the evaluation process for registering pesticides take vulnerable groups, such as children, into consideration;

-establishing a public registry to allow access to detailed evaluation reports on registered pesticides;

-re-evaluations of older pesticides 15 years after they are registered;

-more inspections and higher maximum penalties of up to $1-million for the most serious violations. (ALLISON LAWLOR)