On Nov. 23, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada announced a proposed re-evaluation decision for imidacloprid over a 90-day public consultation period.

As part of this proposed re-evaluation, the PMRA has proposed a plan to phase out the use of imidacloprid over a three-year period. The re-evaluation of the pesticide included an assessment of potential health and environmental risks. It did not identify any human health concerns.

However, the PMRA states that "the environmental assessment of the imidacloprid identified risks to aquatic insects, such as midges and mayflies, which are an important food source for fish, birds and other animals. In some aquatic environments in Canada, imidacloprid is being measured at levels that are harmful to certain insect populations."

The proposed re-evaluation decision is open for comments from the public. Any public comments from the consultation will be taken into consideration for the final re-evaluation decision.

A multi-stakeholder forum is also part of the 90-day commentary period.

Health Canada is also launching special reviews for two other widely used neonicotinoids, clothianidin and thiamethoxam.

Click here for more information on the proposed re-evaluation decision and how to comment.