It said the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its evaluations of the controversial pesticide which bee keepers in particular have complained about.
On its website, the Pest Management Review Agency division of Health Canada said:
“Due to the vast amount of new information received, and the measures taken related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific reviews have encountered delays.
“Health Canada is now expecting to publish these decisions (aquatic special reviews of clothianidin and thiamethoxam, and the general re-evaluation of imidacloprid) in spring 2021.”