Neonicotinoids to be targeted in Quebec's new pesticide rules
Neuro-active insecticide considered to be major contributor to bee-colony collapse
Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel is expected to present a new strategy Sunday to better control the use of pesticides — particularly neonicotinoids, a class of insecticide considered to be partly responsible for drastic reductions in bee populations.
According to information obtained by Radio-Canada, the province plans to ban some insecticides from being used in urban areas, as well as greatly restrict their use in agricultural settings.
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The new measures will attempt to modernize Quebec's laws on pesticides, which date back to 1987.
Bees in particular have fallen victim to the presence of neonicotinoids — a class of neuro-active insecticide that has similar chemical properties to nicotine — in both urban and rural settings.
Neonicotinoids are believed to be a major contributor to bee-colony collapse and other problems related to the bee population. Birds and fish are also considered to be vulnerable to pesticide contamination.
According to information obtained by Radio-Canada, the Quebec government's strategy will propose that the use of all "risky" pesticides will need to be supervised and approved by an agronomist.