Health Canada will not issue a decision on whether to ban imidacloprid for at least six months, according to a horticultural industry representative.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) proposed to ban the use of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, because it was accumulating in water on agricultural land; which was reportedly putting aquatic insects at risk and threatening the animals that rely on those insects as a source of food.

The PMRA is considering more information before making a decision, but no date has been provided for the final decision. Craig Hunter, who works in research and crop protection with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, says the PMRA plan to make their final decision by December, and may publish the final decision by spring of 2018.

Imidacloprid is used as a seed treatment on crops, and is vital for Canadian fruit, vegetable and potato producers. It is also used on wheat crops in the Prairies to control wireworm.

Click here to read the rest of the article from The Western Producer.