The Pest Management Review Agency plans to ban one
neonicitinoid and put two others under special review.
The ban has been proposed because imidaclorprid accumulates
in waterways where it harms aquatic insects.
The agency said that based on findings, the continued use of
this neonicitinoid is not sustainable.
Clothianidin and theomethoxam have been put under special
review.
The Pest Management Review Agency said it has found that the
neonicitinoids dissolve in water and run off into waterways at volumes it
previously did not know.
Agriculture uses neonicitinoids as seed treatments. They are
highly effective in controlling crop-devouring insects.
There are huge controversies in Ontario because the
provincial government moved to curb their use before it had conclusive
scientific evidence of harm.
Its curbs are also controversial because it requires farmers
to hire consultants to determine whether there are pests in fields before they
can buy seed treated with neonicitinoids.
That is further controversial because the majority of
consultants have been excluded from providing this service because they work with
farm supply companies that market neonicitinoids.
