In November, Health Canada said that a nation-wide ban of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, was necessary because the chemical is a threat to aquatic insects. In late December a University of Guelph expert said the government’s conclusion was an “over-reaction” and a mistake. “I’m not in agreement with the decision to ban (imidacloprid)…. I don’t […] Read more
Tag Archives neonicotinoids — page 5
Greenhouse connection to neonic contamination disputed
The area around Leamington, Ont., has a large number of greenhouses. Environment Canada believes those greenhouses, which produce vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, are contributing to high levels of insecticides in surface water in the surrounding area. Environment Canada scientists collected surface water samples from 15 locations across Ontario in 2012-14, including a […] Read more
Neonics lower in grain regions
Neonicotinoids are present in streams and waterways throughout southern Ontario, says a new report from Environment Canada. However, regions with intensive horticultural production, such as southwestern Ontario and the Niagara region, are the only parts of the province with hazardous levels of the insecticides in water. The concentrations of neonicotinoids in water are much lower […] Read more
Neonics most widespread in Ontario’s horticultural regions
Neonicotinoids are present in streams and waterways throughout southern Ontario, says a new report from Environment Canada. However, southwestern Ontario and the Niagara region are the only parts of the province with hazardous levels of the insecticides in water. In a paper that will soon be published in the journal Chemosphere, Environment Canada scientists found […] Read more
Horticultural producers reject proposed neonic ban
Health Canada wants to ban the use of a common insecticide, but a representative of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association says the decision is deeply flawed. On Wednesday Health Canada released a proposal to phase out the use of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used by fruit and vegetable growers across the country. […] Read more
Health Canada proposes banning neonic
UPDATED – November 23, 2016 – 1535 CST – Health Canada is proposing to ban a Bayer neonicotinoid because the insecticide is a threat to aquatic insects in wetlands and other water bodies. In a teleconference with media early this afternoon, Health Canada said levels of imidacloprid in water bodies near agricultural land are unacceptably […] Read more
Bee deaths reported low this winter
After years of severe winter losses, Ontario bee colonies look great this spring as the vast majority of hives survived the winter. On Tibor Szabo’s beekeeping operation, near Moffat, Ont., essentially every hive is still alive. “I’m about 99 percent (survival),” said Szabo, Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA) president. Winter losses weren’t quite as low at […] Read more
Ontario beekeepers dispute latest neonic study
A Health Canada study on neonicotinoid seed treatments has irritated beekeepers in Ontario and delighted defenders of the technology. However, it’s probably premature to be outraged or to celebrate because Health Canada will release two more reports on neonicotinoids later this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State […] Read more
PMRA takes neonics testing from lab to field
Report finds neonicotinoid insecticide used at the correct time does not compromise bee colony health
Health Canada has decided that laboratory experiments don’t count for much, at least when it comes to bees. In a report released in early January, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency said seeds treated with imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, pose no risk to bees. “The residue levels in crop pollen and nectar resulting from seed treatment […] Read more
Honeybee colonies show increase despite ‘bee apocalypse’ reports
The opening line of an article posted on CBC News’s website last May summarized a commonly held belief about honeybees: “The collapse of bee colonies nationwide (in Canada) is well-established and beyond dispute.” A provocative lead, but not true. Statistics Canada data shows that honeybee colony numbers have increased steadily from 637,920 colonies in 2011 […] Read more
