University of Guelph researchers find that insecticide affects honeybees’ ability to rid themselves of deadly varoa mites
A University of Guelph study is the first to discover the serious impact of the neonicotinoid insecticide called clothianidin on a honeybee’s ability to groom and rid itself of deadly varroa mites. Neonicotinoids are the most commonly used insecticides in Canada. They are sprayed in fruit and vegetable production, which are resources bees frequently use […] Read moreTag Archives neonicotinoids — page 3
Neonics no threat to bees, feds rule; aquatic insect decision still to come
Neonicotinoid seed treatments are not a threat to bees, Health Canada says. On Thursday, Health Canada released its final decision on neonic insecticides and their potential impact on bees and other pollinators. The department will take several steps to reduce the risk to bees, but neonic seed treatments will not be affected. “Health Canada has […] Read more
Low neonic levels found in Alta. water bodies
Survey data comes as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency studies the possibility of banning neonic use in Canada
Recent surveys show neonicotinoids have been detected in Alberta water bodies, though their risk of impacting aquatic invertebrates is considered low. The data, shared by Alberta Agriculture during FarmTech on Jan. 29, found neonics ranged in concentrations of 2.5 nanograms per litre to 125.9 nanograms per litre at 61 of the 102 sample sites in […] Read more
Health Canada may be softening neonic stance: CropLife
Neonicotinoids may still have a future in Canada. Health Canada scientists have been studying water monitoring data, from across the country, and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency may not ban all agricultural uses of neonics, a spokesperson for CropLife Canada says. “I’m optimistic we will retain some uses,” said Maria Trainer, CropLife managing director, science […] Read more
Neonic ban must wait for more data: canola council
After going through the neonicotinoid-banning decision, the canola industry has discovered a number of disturbing elements: The Pest Management Regulatory Agency doesn’t appear to be using direct evidence; The comment period ends before 2018 water monitoring data can be collected and analyzed; The PMRA is applying an aggressive risk avoidance approach that is not shared […] Read more
Neonic threshold called ‘overly conservative’
Bayer questions PMRA’s decision to set safe levels at 1.5 parts per trillion in its ban proposal; it’s 50 p.p.t. in the U.S.
If the highway speed limit in Canada was 15 km-h, it’s likely that the number of speeding tickets would increase. In the same vein, Health Canada has selected a low number it deems to be an acceptable amount of neonicotinoid insecticides in water bodies. For clothianidin, a Bayer insecticide, Health Canada scientists decided the acceptable […] Read more
Proposed neonic ban frustrates Ontario farmers
Province imposed restrictions in 2013-14, requiring independent agronomists to write ‘prescriptions’ for neonic use
Ontario farmers are frustrated that they haven’t been given enough of a chance to prove they can safely use neonicotinoids. They think the best management practices adopted a few years ago have eliminated most of the threat from former application methods for the crucial insecticides. “We dealt with that,” said Barry Senft, chief executive officer […] Read more
European neonic ban cut canola yields: study
Yield losses ranged from less than one percent to more than 20 percent, depending on the degree of insect pressure
The European Union’s ban on neonicotinoids has been a costly, environmentally dubious and regressive mistake, argues a study conducted for the EU’s farming and agriculture industries. The author also voices the same perplexity with the EU regulators’ resistance to comparative studies that many Canadian farmers and agriculture people are now expressing about Health Canada’s Pest […] Read more
Beekeepers worry about foliar sprays if neonics banned
Beekeepers should be thrilled that Health Canada is banning the use of neonicotinoids because the insecticides have been linked to bee deaths and pollinator decline. Landen Stronks, a beekeeper from Iron Springs, Alta., is definitely not thrilled. Stronks and other Alberta beekeepers are worried about what happens if and when neonicotinoids are phased out. “We […] Read more
Neonicotinoid phase-out reduces canola flea beetle control tools
Winnipeg – The phasing out of neonicotinoid seed treatments in Canada may cause problems for the country’s canola growers when dealing with flea beetles, but alternatives pesticides could fill the gap. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is proposing that two neonicotinoid pesticides, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, be phased out over the next three to […] Read more
