ANLA submits comments to Canada on proposed neonic regulations

ANLA, in collaboration with SAF, submitted comments to the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) regarding their recent Notice of Intent (NOI2013-01) called, “Action to Protect Bees from Exposure to Neonicotinoid Pesticides.” The steps described would apply to soybean and corn production areas, but could be easily applied more broadly, said Joe Bischoff, ANLA's director of government relations.

Regulatory agencies, both in the U.S. and abroad, have been under growing pressure from activist groups to limit or ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. As our industry’s largest foreign trading partner and often collaborator in harmonizing cross-border regulatory approaches, we felt it was important to encourage the Canadian PMRA to base their decisions on sound science and recognize neonicotinoids as the important tool they are.

Neonicotinoids represent a tremendous advancement over older pesticide treatment options, Bischoff said. When used properly, they effectively control problem insects, while exhibiting less impact on non-target insects (including bees). Neonicotinoids ability to provide residual control means fewer applications and less applicant exposure. We fear that decisions made to restrict or prohibit use of such materials, without scientific merit, will undermine research and development into new and reduced-risk materials going forward. Furthermore, decisions made by the Canadian government could negatively impact our ability to export plant material and influence the actions of our own federal regulators.