On May 19, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) released its final re-evaluation decision on imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid. Most uses of imidacloprid, a key insecticide for several horticultural crops, will remain registered with new mitigation measures. 

“After several years of scientific evaluation, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is encouraged that several critical uses of imidacloprid will remain registered with additional mitigation measures,” says Chris Duyvelshoff, crop protection advisor, OFVGA. 

-  Foliar applications are to be reduced to once per season for most crops. 

-  Greenhouse use is acceptable provided there is a closed recirculation system.

“The extensive science review by Health Canada’s PMRA has demonstrated that these uses do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment,” says Duyvelshoff. “It should be noted that many previous uses of imidacloprid have already been restricted by PMRA during this review process including cancelling all uses on fruit trees and many other crops out of concern for pollinator health. The remaining uses going forward are a small subset of what imidacloprid was previously registered for. Uses to remain, such as a treatment of onion seed before planting, will continue to provide control of key pests – many of which lack any sufficient alternatives to control.”

The imidacloprid review is now effectively done – the first neonicotinoid to be fully completed, explains Duyvelshoff. 

Thiamethoxam and clothianidin are still in queue for final review decisions which are scheduled for spring 2022. Acetamiprid and thiacloprid are other lesser used neonicotinoids that are still years away from a final decision.  

For all details of the imidacloprid decision, link here:  https://bit.ly/3owtczp

Source:  Pest Management Regulatory Agency May 19, 2021