Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has decided that a complete ban on neonicotinoid pesticides is not necessary.
The ruling follows the conclusion of a special review of clothianidin and thiamethoxam.
"A few years ago, available scientific information indicated that clothianidin and thiamethoxam were being detected in aquatic environments in Canada at concentrations that might pose a risk to aquatic insects," explained Scott Kirby, director general for the PMRA. As a result, Health Canada began public consultations in August 2018 on proposed special review decisions to cancel all outdoor use of the two pesticides.
After reviewing a large swath of scientific information, Kirby says the PMRA has determined that some uses do not pose a threat to aquatic insects, while others do.
"To protect aquatic insects, Health Canada's final decision is to cancel some uses of clothianidin and thiamethoxam, and introduce additional mitigation measures and restrictions on some of the uses that remain registered. These risk mitigation actions include reducing rates of application and adding spray buffer zones," explained Kirby.
For example, seed treatment uses of clothianidin have been cancelled for bunching onions and lettuce, as well as infra-row and soil application for potatoes. As for thiamethoxam, its use has been cancelled for low-bush blueberries, and soil and drench uses for potatoes. Other crops seeing changes to use patterns but not all-out cancellations includes a fairly long list, according to Kirby, that includes corn and soybeans along with several vegetable crops and fruiting vegetables.
All product labels must align with the amendments within two years of the special review decision publication date. This means registrants and retailers have 24 months from March 31, 2021 to comply, noted Kirby.
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