Health Canada launches consultation on use of imidacloprid pesticide
Some uses of this neonicotinoid are proposed for phase out to protect bees and other pollinators
OTTAWA, May 31, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians care about how the use of pesticides impacts the environment. The Government of Canada relies on scientific evidence to evaluate pesticides so that they are used safely and do not threaten human health or the environment. With that in mind, the Government of Canada is consulting Canadians on its latest proposal to protect bees and other pollinators from exposure to imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide.
Health Canada's scientific assessment of imidacloprid looked at the effects of this pesticide on pollinators such as honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees. The assessment found that there are some uses of imidacloprid that may pose a risk to bees. The Department is therefore proposing significant restrictions on the use of imidacloprid products to protect bees and other pollinators. These proposed restrictions include the cancellation of some uses, restrictions on the timing of use, and new product labels.
Consultations on this proposed decision will be open to the public for 90 days. Comments received during this consultation will be considered along with input from previous consultations, including separate restrictions that were proposed in 2016 to protect aquatic insects. We expect to publish a final decision on the overall use of imidacloprid in Canada in December 2018.
Health Canada's primary objective in regulating pesticides is to protect the health of Canadians and the environment. All pesticides must undergo a rigorous science-based review before being approved for sale in Canada.
Quick Facts
Three important neonicotinoids are currently approved for agricultural use in Canada: imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam. Re-evaluations are currently under way for all three pesticides.
Imidacloprid is often used as a coating on crop seeds to prevent insects from eating the seeds and to protect the plants as they grow. It can also be sprayed onto plants or bare soil, and used as a granular application on turf grass or as a tree injection.
There has been a 70-92% decrease in reported bee deaths or other adverse effects since Health Canada implemented previous actions to protect bees from the dust from the planting of corn and soybean seeds treated with neonicotinoids.
Hyosung TNC is taking significant strides towards a sustainable future by focusing on the production of sustainable bio-based BDO. Butanediol (BDO) plays a crucial role as a chemical material not only in the production of spandex fibers like PTMG but...
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is taking applications for the 2024 Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (SWFL) initiative through the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership,...
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. today announced the publication of its 2023 Annual Report on Sustainability detailing its environmental, social and governance performance during the year. This report marks FCX's 23rd year of reporting on its sustainability...
Avid Controls is an authorized licensed manufacturer of the GEPC/Converteam MV3000 product line, and is dedicated to providing world-class support to customers for the entire lifespan of their equipment. The MV3000 modules provide reliable ancillary...
Tidewater Inc. ("Tidewater" or the "Company") announced today that it will release financial results for the three months ending March 31, 2024, on Thursday, May 2, 2024 after market close. An earnings conference call has been scheduled for Friday,...
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, will hold a media availability to highlight the federal budget's commitments to getting projects built faster...