Alberta Canola Welcomes Health Canada's Neonic Decision

Alberta Canola General Manager Ward Toma says they're pleased with Health Canada's decision on three neonicotinoid pesticides.

Health Canada says seed treatment will still be allowed, as it poses no unacceptable risk to bees and pollinators.

Toma says it's a positive confirmation.

"This is something of course that we knew, Western Canadian farmers and bee keepers knew, because canola is a very good food source for bees and there has never been any real issue with neonic seed treated canola."

Toma, says seed treatment plays an important role in controlling flea beetles in canola crops.

"The seed absorbs the neonic, and when the insect chews on the plant, it kills the insect and it's very selective that way. We're not spraying into the environment and it has a limited time frame."

In last week's decision, Health Canada announced they will be restricting some uses of the neonic pesticides in regards to pollinator health, such as some foliar treatments on orchard and ornamental crops which are attractive to bees.

The Department is still evaluating the potential risk neonics pose to aquatic insects, and there's possibility for further cancellations.

These findings are expected to be delivered at the end of the year.

"There's always a concern when there's a review," Toma said. "We want proper science-based reviews to happen."

Toma is confident the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) will do a good job of the review and they are hopeful of a positive outcome.