Neonicotinoids to be targeted in Quebec's new pesticide rules

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 byRadio-Canada, the province plans to bansome insecticides from being used in urban areas, as well as greatly restricttheir use in agricultural settings.

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Thenew measures willattempt 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 insecticidethat 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.