(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Neonicotinoids

Report says seed treatments safe for bees

Apr 18, 2019 | 2:25 PM

An important tool in a farmer’s toolbox has been saved for the time being.

Health Canada has completed a re-evaluation of the neonicotinoid pesticides clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam as it relates to bees and other pollinators. The result was the cancellation and changing of conditions of use such as restricting the timing of application.

These pesticides won’t be allowed for spraying on fruit trees, flowers and other plants that bees are attracted to and they won’t be allowed for use on certain plants before and during bloom season.

Remaining uses like treatment on canola seeds and greenhouse vegetables are not expected to pose unacceptable risks to bees and other pollinators.

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Oct 30, 2024

organic crop

Wild rice production plummets compared to 2023

Oct 23, 2024

Connecting Farmers to Available Land

Young Agrarians to host Land Linking Workshop in Kelowna

Oct 16, 2024

Seed treatments play an important role in controlling flea beetles in canola crops.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture provincial insect/vertebrate pest management specialist James Tansey said the primary concern was for seed treatments.

“The results of the review have indicated that seed dressings, with label amendments do not pose a serious threat to pollinators so that use will continue as a result of this special review.” Tansey said.

“It’s looking like the cereal and legume crops, the pulse growers, they’re going to have some label amendments to deal with. They’re going to have to incorporate approved lubricants to their seeding,” Tansey said. “It doesn’t look like things change very much for canola but there’s another (ruling) coming down the pipe and that one could be problematic. So it still remains to be seen what the final decision is.”

The other ruling Tansey referred to is with aquatic insects. Health Canada has not yet published its final decision on neonicotinoid safety for aquatic insects.

That ruling is expected in January of 2020.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF