Canada PMRA extended consultation period for imidacloprid re-evaluation

The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has extended the consultation period for the re-evaluation of imidacloprid from February 21, 2017 to March 23, 2017 to allow more comments and suggestions from interested parties.

 

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide used by commercial applicators and growers to manage insects on a large number of agricultural crops, trees and turf. It can also be used at home to manage insects on lawns, as well as fleas or ticks on cats and dogs.
 

The evaluation determined that under current conditions of use, the environmental risks for most products containing imidacloprid do not meet current safety standards. 
 

For the protection of the environment, PMRA is proposing to phase-out all the agricultural and a majority of other outdoor uses of imidacloprid over three to five years.

 

Therefore, the PMRA is proposing to cancel the following uses:
 

Products used by commercial applicators and growers for:

• trees (except when applied as a tree trunk injection)

• greenhouse uses

• outdoor agricultural uses (including ornamentals)

• commercial seed treatment uses

• turf (such as lawns, golf courses, and sod farms
 

Products used at home for:

• lawns
 

An evaluation of the scientific information has determined that certain uses of imidacloprid products have value and do not pose risks to human health or the environment. These uses include:

Products used by commercial applicators for:

• use in and around structures (such as homes and buildings)

• trees when applied as a tree trunk injection
 

Products used at home for:

• flea, tick and lice treatment on cats and dogs
 

Before making a final re-evaluation decision on imidacloprid, the PMRA will accept and consider written comments on this proposal.