Re-evaluation Note REV2014-06, Special Reviews: Potential environmental risk related to Peponapis pruinosa exposure to Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam used on cucurbits

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
3 December 2014
ISSN: 1925-0649 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-5/2014-6E-PDF (PDF version)

Initiation of Special Reviews

This notice is to advise that pursuant to subsection 17(1) of the  Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is initiating special reviews of registered pest control products containing the active ingredients clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam (this will include both end-use products and technical grade active ingredients) used on cucurbits such as pumpkin, squash and watermelon.

Based on a preliminary analysis of the information received under subsection 17(4) of the Pest Control Products Act, PMRA has determined that a special review is warranted. The aspect of concern for these special reviews is a potential environmental risk related to squash bees, Peponapis pruinosa, from exposure to clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam when used on cucurbits.

Pursuant to section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act, following evaluation of the aspect of concern, the PMRA will publish its proposed special review decisions for public consultation.

At any time during the course of the special review, the registrations of any of the neonicotinoid pesticides may be amended should evidence become available demonstrating reasonable grounds to believe that such action is necessary to deal with a situation that endangers the environment.