Spray drones have captured the interest of many Canadian growers — and for good reason. With the potential to reduce soil compaction, reach challenging terrain and bring new efficiencies to pesticide application, the technology is advancing fast.
However, in Canada, drone spraying of pesticides on field crops is not currently allowed. According to Health Canada, drone application can only appear on product labels once the risks and value have been considered and determined to be acceptable.
Even if a product is approved for aerial application, that does not automatically mean it can be applied by drone. Approval for fixed-wing or helicopter application does not include spray drones.
This matters for more than just compliance. Off-label pesticide use can jeopardize market access by causing residues that exceed limits or don’t meet buyer requirements. Product safety and performance are also not guaranteed when products are applied by unapproved methods.
Two departments govern this area: Transport Canada handles flight safety, while Health Canada oversees pesticide regulation. Both must be satisfied before drones are accepted as a legal application method.
The good news? Research is underway to assess drone use and generate data required to support the expansion of pesticide labels. But until then, Keep it Clean reminds growers to stick to registered application methods and help keep markets open for all. Learn more at KeepitClean.ca
