PMRA invites Canadians to comment on proposed measures for 2014 planting season
OTTAWA – Michael Chong, Member of Parliament for Wellington–Halton Hills, announced that Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) intends on implementing measures to protect bees prior to the 2014 planting season for corn and soybeans. This announcement follows a finding by PMRA that current agricultural practices related to neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed are affecting the population of bees and other pollinators.
The high mortality rate of pollinators in 2012 and 2013 correlated with areas of high corn and soybean production, where neonicotinoids are often used. Following a study, PMRA concluded that current agricultural practices related to the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean are unsustainable.
As a result, new federal protective measures will be implemented for the 2014 planting season, which include:
- Requiring the use of safer dust-reducing seed flow lubricants;
- Requiring adherence to safer seed planting practices;
- Requiring new pesticide and seed package labels with enhanced warnings; and
- Re-evaluating neonicotinoid treatment levels for corn seed and soybean seed.
PMRA encourages Canadians to provide feedback on these proposed measures. Comments must be sent to pmra.publications@hc-sc.gc.ca by December 12, 2013. Canadians must submit their full name and organization, phone number, and complete mailing address or email address.
PMRA applies a science-based approach to regulate pesticides and continues to review new scientific information as it becomes available. For more information on the new protective measures, visit http://goo.gl/Uhg6Vv
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