News
Greenhouse crops affected in neonic decision

Health Canada has officially announced the cancellation of several neonicotinoid pesticides. Greenhouse ornamentals and greenhouse vegetable transplants are affected.

In re-evaluating the effects of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on bees and other pollinators, Health Canada has cancelled some uses of the pesticides and changed use restrictions on others. Actions will be implemented over the next two to three years.

Thiamethoxam:

• Cancelled foliar- and soil-applied methods for both outdoor and greenhouse ornamentals that will be planted outside and are attractive to pollinators.
• No change to foliar- and soil-applied methods for greenhouse-grown cut flowers, greenhouse-grown potted plants for use indoors, ornamental grasses or coniferous evergreens
• No change to leafy greens, brassica leafy vegetables, as well as  greenhouse transplant drenches for planting outdoors

Imidacloprid:

• Cancelled soil-applied methods for both outdoor and greenhouse ornamentals that will be planted outside and are attractive to pollinators
• No change to soil-applied methods for greenhouse-grown cut flowers, greenhouse-grown potted plants for use indoors, ornamental grasses or coniferous evergreens

Clothianidin

• Cancelled soil-applied method for greenhouse pepper transplant drench used for transplant outdoors
• No change to mature greenhouse-grown pepper and cucumber plants (not transplanted outdoors)

The complete summary table is available here:

Health Canada says their re-evaluations were based on “hundreds of scientific studies, from both manufacturers and published literature.”

Next, Health Canada will be evaluating the potential risks of neonics to aquatic insects.