Manitoba may be re-thinking its ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. In a release issued this morning, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox said the province would consult with Manitobans about legislation that prohibits the use of pesticides on lawns and public green spaces, including schools, day cares and playing fields. “The purpose of the […] Read more
Tag Archives pesticides — page 4
Conditional pesticide registrations no longer possible
Canada’s Health Minister has followed through on her promise to end conditional registrations of pesticides. As of June 1, Health Canada and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) will no longer grant conditional registrations, where the government approved the use of a pesticide but asked an agri-chemical company for additional information to support the registration. […] Read more
Stop creating friction over neonicotinoids
Since the announcement of Ontario’s new pesticide regulations, Ontario beekeepers have been the object of a misinformation campaign from the agricultural chemical industry and their proxies. The Grain Farmers of Ontario, in a letter to members, threatened to use pesticides more harmful to bees and encouraged farmers to seek legal advice before allowing beekeepers to […] Read more
Why calm air causes spray drift
The farmer is behind on spraying. It’s dead calm. Leaves are still. The sprayer is filled, ready to go. He climbs down from the cab and heads to the house for a nap. Something’s wrong with this scene. There’s spraying to be done and conditions couldn’t be better, so what is going on? Government extension […] Read more
Avoid the inversion: what producers can do
Knowing inversion conditions is the first step to avoiding pesticide misapplication. “The bad news: we have a thermal inversion to some degree just about every day during spray season,” said Jason Deveau of Ontario’s agriculture department. “When we have that very still air, or stagnation as they call it in the States, that’s a thermal […] Read more
Science must decide pesticide debate
Manitoba conservation minister Gord Mackintosh indicated Sept. 24 that it was all but certain the government would implement a ban on urban pesticide use in the province. It appears as though he has made up his mind before the public consultation period is even over. Mackintosh seems to be speaking out of turn before Manitobans […] Read more
Sprayers urged to keep bees in mind
Hives at risk | With delayed seeding across parts of the Prairies, there are concerns more bees may be killed in the rush
Farmers need to think about beekeepers when applying insecticides, even when they can’t see a hive, says Gerry Moyen. Moyen, who operates Moyen Honey Farms in Zenon Park, Sask., and is a director of the Saskatchewan Beekeepers Association, made a disheartening discovery early last week. As many as 1,000 hives, totalling one-third of this year’s […] Read more
Pesticide ban position questioned
Charity defends stance | Canadian Cancer Society says some studies suggest pesticides increase risk
When the Manitoba government announced plans for a cosmetic pesticide ban in early February, it cited research done by several health organizations to justify its new policy on pesticides. One of them was the Canadian Cancer Society, which has spent thousands and possibly millions of donor dollars on anti-pesticide information and advocacy. Yet on its […] Read more
When bans become banes
Manitoba considers cosmetic pesticide ban | Producers say legislation will have unintended effects
The president of Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers is almost always calm, composed and collected when he discusses agricultural issues facing his province. But there was a hint of irritation in Doug Chorney’s voice last week when he answered questions about the Manitoba government’s plan to ban cosmetic pesticides in the province. In short, Chorney said […] Read more
