Using Pesticides in Ontario

Federal Registration of Pesticides

Before a pesticide (pest control product) can be sold or used in Ontario, it must be registered under the federal Pest Control Products Act (PCP Act).The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada registers pesticides for use in Canada following an evaluation of scientific data to ensure that any human health and environmental risks associated with its proposed uses are acceptable, and that the products have value.

The PMRA re-evaluates registered pesticides to determine whether today’s health and environmental protection standards are still met when the pesticide is used according to the label. The PMRA also assesses whether the pesticide still has value. Re-evaluations are initiated every 15 years. Outcomes of a re-evaluation can be:

• no change to the registration
• amendments to the label (e.g., changes to personal protective equipment requirements, restricted entry intervals, buffer zones)
• modifications to existing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
• elimination or phasing-out of certain uses or formulations
• discontinuation of the registration

A special review of a registered pesticide can be initiated at any time by the PMRA if the PMRA has reason to believe its use may pose unacceptable risk to human health or the environment or the pesticide no longer has value. Special reviews focus on a specific concern (e.g., neonicotinoid pesticides and impacts to pollinator health).

The pesticide label is a legal document. Follow all label directions. Labels for all registered pesticides are under “Search Pesticide Labels” on the PMRA website at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pmra. Ensure you have the most current label and are aware of any re-evaluation decisions. Emergency registrations are temporary registrations (1 year or less) for pesticides needed by growers to manage a new invasive pest or pest outbreak. Know the expiration date for pesticides you are using under an emergency registration.

Maximum Residue Limit (MRL)

When you apply a pesticide to a crop, some residue may remain on the crop at harvest time. A Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is the maximum amount of pesticide residue that may remain on food after a pesticide is applied as per label directions and which can safely be consumed. The PMRA sets the MRL well below a level that may cause harm to human health. The MRL is specific for every pesticide-crop combination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for enforcing the MRLs established by the PMRA. OMAFRA’s Food Inspection Branch conducts an annual Produce Food Safety Monitoring Program which involves collecting Ontario grown fresh fruits and vegetables and testing them for pesticide residues and pathogenic organisms (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7). If you apply a pesticide at a higher rate, make too many applications or harvest a crop before the Pre- Harvest Interval has ended, there may be pesticide residues in excess of the MRLs set by PMRA. When exporting your food product, it is important to confirm the importing country’s MRLs because it may be different than ours. Processors or retailers may demand more restrictive limits. Growers should seek advice of their intended market to determine if more restrictive limitations apply. Keep accurate and up-to- date records on pesticide use in each crop. For more information on MRLs, see:

• PMRA’s MRL database at http://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/mrl-lrm/index-eng.php provides information on established Canadian MRLs. This database includes importing MRLs that may have pesticide- crop combinations that are not registered for use in Canada. Always check the current. Canadian pesticide label for registered uses.
• Global MRL Database at www.globalmrl.com provides free access to U.S. MRL information.
• Agricultural Chemical Companies can provide MRL information for their products. Companies’ contact information are found on the pesticide labels, company websites and in the Ontario Crop Protection Hub.
• Summaries of OMAFRA’s Food Safety Monitoring Program results can be found at www.ontario.ca/producesafety.
• CFIA’s Chemical Residue Surveillance Program at https://www.inspection.gc.ca/food-safety-for-industry/food-chemistry-and-microbiology/foodsafety-testing-bulletin-and-reports/eng/1453324778043/1453327843364

Regulation of Pesticides in Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is responsible for regulating the sale, use, transportation, storage and disposal of pesticides in Ontario. Ontario regulates pesticides by placing appropriate education, licensing and/or permit requirements on their use, under the Pesticides Act and Regulation 63/09. All pesticides must be used in accordance with requirements under the Pesticides Act and Regulation 63/09, which are available on the e-laws website at ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p11 or by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-668-9938 or 416-326-5300.

Classification of Pesticides

The PMRA classifies a pesticide into one of four classes – manufacturing, restricted, commercial and domestic. As of May 1, 2020, Ontario’s pesticides classes have been aligned with the federal government’s pesticide categories to remove duplication and reduce complexity for the sale and use of pesticides in Ontario, while ensuring continued protection of human health and the environment. The MECP automatically classifies pesticides in Ontario as Class A, B, C or D based on the federal classification system plus one additional class(Class E) for regulating the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed.

Table 1–1. Federal and provincial classification

Each Ontario Class has specific certification, licensing and/or permit requirements and restriction on its use and sale.

Certification and Licensing

Certified Farmers and Their Assistants

Farmers must be certified through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) in order to buy and use Class B and C pesticides on their farms. Certification is not required to buy and use Class D pesticides for agricultural purposes. Farmers become certified by successfully completing one of the following certification options:

• one-day in-person course and pass an open book certification test with a mark of at least 75%, or
• online course and successfully complete quizzes and case studies to become certified. Farmer assistants and supervised farmers using Class B or C pesticides must complete training and assist or be supervised by a certified farmer.

Farmer assistants and supervised farmers must complete one of the two training options:

• participate in a GPSC (assessment is not required) or
• participate in an On-Farm training session given by an On-Farm Instructor.

For information about farmer training and certification requirements visit the MECP website at ontario.ca/pesticides and for information on courses visit the University of Guelph’s Ontario Pesticide Education Program website at www.opep.ca or call 1-800-652-8573.

To buy and use Class E pesticides, farmers are required to:

1. Complete the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Course for Corn and Soybean
2. Complete a pest risk assessment and a pest risk assessment report
3. Sign an IPM Written Declaration Form stating that you considered IPM principles to decrease the risk of early season insect damage.

Farmers must provide these pieces of information to a vendor sales representative or custom-seed treater in order to purchase Class E pesticides. They must retain these records for at least two years. Farmers must also carry with them or have readily available at the field when they are planting a copy of their certificate of completion of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Course for Corn and Soybean and pest risk assessment report. For information on the requirements for Class E pesticides visit the MECP website at ontario.ca/page/neonicotinoid-rules-growers. For information on the IPM Course visit the University of Guelph’s website at IPMCertified.ca.

Pesticide Commercial Applicators (Exterminators) and Their Assisting Technicians

All applicants for a pesticide exterminator license must first become certified by passing an examination. Once certified, you can apply to the MECP for an exterminator license. For more information on how to become certified, refer to Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

1-888-620-9999

Email: rcoptc@uoguelph.ca

Website: www.ontariopesticide.com

For further information on pesticide licensing please refer to the document Guide to Pesticide Licensing available at www.ontario.ca/page/guide-pesticide-classes

Ontario’s Cosmetic Pesticide Ban and Excepted Uses

Ontario prohibits the use of certain pesticides for cosmetic (non-essential) purposes. Only low risk pesticides and biopesticides may be used for cosmetic purpose such as in lawns and gardens, and these are listed in the publication “List of Active Ingredients Authorized for Cosmetic Uses (Allowable List)”

Under the ban, the use of an active ingredient that is not on the Allowable List is permitted for appropriately licensed individuals if the use falls under one of the exceptions to the ban. There are exceptions for public health and safety (including for public works, buildings and other structures that are nota public work, and to control poisonous plants), golf courses, specialty turf, specified sports fields, arboriculture and the protection of natural resources, if certain conditions are met. There are also exceptions for agriculture, forestry, research and scientific purposes, uses of pesticides for structural exterminations (e.g., in and around homes to control insects), and uses of pesticides required by other legislation.

Pesticide Application Information

When you decide to use a pesticide, choose the least toxic and least volatile option for your situation. Use an appropriate application method and ensure equipment is properly maintained and calibrated. Take all possible precautions to prevent the exposure of people and non-target organisms to the pesticide, before, during and after the application. Read the most current pesticide label thoroughly before application. The pesticide label is a legal document and must be followed. Pesticides may only be used in accordance with label instructions. The label provides important information, such as:

• directions for use (e.g., rates of application, crops/ sites it can be used on, target pests, crop rotation restrictions, total number of applications, droplet size/nozzle type, application equipment, timing, appropriate weather conditions)
• required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• hazard symbols and warnings
• restricted entry intervals
• pre-harvest intervals
• buffer zones / vegetative strips 
• precautionary statements
• steps to be taken in case of an accident
• disposal
• equipment sanitation 

For more information on hazards, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or contact the manufacturer.

Restricted Entry Intervals

Restricted Entry Interval (REI) is the minimum period of time that must elapse before hand labour tasks can be performed in an area treated with pesticide. The REI allows the pesticide residues and vapours to dissipate to safe levels to protect agricultural workers. Hand labour tasks involve substantial worker contact with treated surfaces such as plants, plant parts or soil. Examples of these activities include planting, harvesting, pruning, detasseling, thinning, weeding, scouting, topping, sucker removal, mowing, roguing and packing produce into containers in the field or greenhouse. You can only perform these tasks after the REI has passed. Hand labour generally does not include operating, moving or repairing irrigation or water equipment, except for hand-set irrigation.

A Certified Farmer or Licensed Commercial Applicator (i.e., a holder of the appropriate Exterminator License, such as an Agriculture Exterminator Licence or a Greenhouse/Interior Plant Exterminator Licence) may need to enter a treated area early to do short-term tasks before the end of the REI. In these cases, the Certified Farmer or Licensed Commercial Applicator may enter between 4–12 hr after the application wearing a NIOSH-approved respirator and any other protective clothing (PC) and the personal protective equipment stated on the label for mixing and loading. This Certified Farmer or Licensed Commercial Applicator (exterminator) must not be in the treated area during the REI for more than a total of 1 hr in any 24-hr period.

See Figure 3–1 for an example of a 24-hr REI on a pesticide label.

Certified Farmers and Licensed Commercial Applicators should plan pesticide applications around work tasks so that no one needs to enter treated areas before the restricted entry interval has passed.

Days to Harvest Intervals for Food Crops (Pre-harvest, Pre-grazing and Feeding Intervals)

These intervals state the minimum time that must pass between the last pesticide application and the harvesting of the crop or the grazing and cutting of the crop for livestock feed. If you harvest a crop before the pre-harvest interval (PHI) has ended, there may be pesticide residues in excess of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by PMRA.

“Up to the day of harvest” means the same as 0 days PHI; however, the REI may be more restrictive (e.g., a 12-hr restricted entry interval) and must be observed for harvesting that occurs on the day of pesticide application.

Spray Buffer Zones

Visit Spray Buffer Zones webpage for more information. 

Protect the Environment

Protect Water sources

According to the British Crop Protection Council (BCPC), 40%–70% of surface water pesticide contamination comes from mixing and filling areas.

Where possible, load or mix pesticides on impermeable surfaces located safely away from watercourses or environmentally sensitive areas. Collect drainage and run-off and dispose of it safely (Your Guide to Using Pesticides, BCPC 2007).

Clean your spray equipment away from wells, ponds, streams and ditches. Apply the diluted rinse water (usually at a ratio of 10:1) to the treatment area (crop), but do not exceed the pesticide rate recommended on the label.

Do not make a direct connection between any water supply (e.g., public supply, wells, watercourse or pond) and a spray tank. Use an anti-backflow device or intermediate system to prevent back-siphoning that could contaminate the water supply.

Immediately contain and clean up any spills to prevent contamination to water sources. Check the pesticide label for specific instructions on protection of water sources.

Bee Poisoning

Honey bees, native bee species (e.g., bumble bees, squash bees) and other pollinating insects are important pollinators for many Ontario crops. Insecticides, some of which may negatively affect bees, require careful management to achieve both pollination and insect control of pest species. Growers and licensed commercial applicators can protect bees by following these suggestions:

• Time insecticide applications to minimize bee exposure (e.g., apply post bloom). Daytime treatments, when bees are foraging, are most hazardous. Insecticide applications in the evening are the safest, unless there is evidence of a strong temperature inversion or high humidity. Under normal circumstances, spraying after 8 p.m. allows the spray to dry before the bees are exposed to it the next day. Spraying during early morning is the next best time, when fewer bees are foraging, but pesticide residues may still be present. Spraying should be completed well before 7 a.m. While honey bees and most other pollinating insects do not usually forage at temperatures below 13°C, bumblebees do. If you plan to spray in the morning, contact beekeepers who have bees within 5 km of your crop and spray site. The beekeepers may then have the option of taking any possible protective action.
• Do not apply insecticides while fruit trees are in bloom. The Bees Act makes it an offence to do so in Ontario. Do not spray any flowering crop on which bees are foraging.
• To prevent drift toward nearby hives, do not apply insecticides on windy days or when there is evidence of a strong temperature inversion.
• Bees and other pollinators may be poisoned by visiting flowering weeds, trees and cover crops that have come into contact with an insecticide via spray drift or drift of insecticide-contaminated dust during planting. Avoid spray drift to flowering weeds that are adjacent to or within the target field. Where possible, mow down flowering cover crops or flowering weeds in and bordering target fields prior to spraying to help safeguard the bees. Control dandelions and other flowering weeds within fields before spraying or planting seeds treated with an insecticide. Take measures to reduce movement of dust from insecticide seed treatments to flowering trees, weeds and water sources that are in or adjacent to the target field. For more information on reducing dust movement, search for “Pollinator Protection and Responsible Use of Treated Seed — Best Management Practices” at www.canada.ca.
• Systemic insecticides may also pose a high risk to bees and other insect pollinators. Bees can be exposed to insecticide residues in or on flowers, leaves, pollen, nectar and/or surface water. Do not apply insecticide or allow it to drift onto blooming crops or off-site habitat if bees are foraging in or adjacent to the treatment area.
• In crop settings where pesticide use is highly likely, beekeepers should remove honey bee colonies as soon as pollination and bloom are complete in the crop and before any insecticides are applied post bloom. In emergency situations, if the colonies cannot be removed in time, beekeepers can place burlap or cloth soaked in water at the entrance of the hive to disrupt the flight of the bees for up to 12 hr and provide more time for spray to dry. To help prevent overheating of the hive during this time, keep an opening of 2.5 cm on each side of the hive entrance so bees can still get out and ventilate the hive. Also, the water on the burlap or cloth will help cool the colony.
• Not all pesticides are equally toxic to bees. If there is a risk of honeybee poisoning, try to choose an insecticide that is not highly toxic to bees. When there is a choice, choose a product formulation that is less hazardous to bees.• Always read the most current pesticide label for guidance. Some pesticides cannot be used when bees are active in the crop.

Manage Drift

Pesticide drift is the aerial movement and unintentional deposit of pesticide outside the target area. Drift results in wasted product, may compromise crop protection and can adversely affect nearby sensitive environmental areas, crops and wildlife. The following strategies can help reduce the risk of pesticide drift:

• Do not spray when wind direction is changeable, or wind speeds are high or gusty. These conditions increase the potential for off-target drift. While most pesticide labels indicate allowable wind speeds, some do not.
• Regularly monitor wind conditions during spraying, preferably in the field with a handheld wind meter at nozzle height or elevated to the top of the target canopy from within the planted area. Record the wind speed and direction. As conditions change, make adjustments to manage drift potential. Adjustments may include a coarser droplet size, minimizing nozzle-to-target distance, adjusting air energy or vector on air-assisted sprayers, slowing travel speed, using a drift reducing adjuvant or discontinuing spraying until conditions improve.
• Do not spray during periods of dead calm. Periods of dead calm may occur between late evening and early morning and can result in the vapour or fine spray droplets remaining aloft, like fog. Spray-filled air can move unpredictably over great distances several hours after the spray event is completed.

Temperature inversions create problems for spray applicators because pesticide spray can:

• remain suspended and active in the air above the target for long periods of time
• move with light breezes in changeable and unpredictable directions
• move down slopes and concentrate in low-lying regions

Field air temperatures are often very different from local or regional forecasts, so the most reliable method of detecting inversion conditions is to measure temperatures at, and several metres above, the ground. Commercial hand-held inversion detectors are now available. Spray applicators can also recognize a temperature inversion from environmental cues, such as when:

• there is a big drop from daytime to nighttime temperature• wind dies down by early evening and night
• far away sounds can be heard clearly
• odours seem more intense
• daytime cumulus clouds collapse toward evening
• overnight cloud cover is 25% or less
• smoke or dust hangs in the air and/or moves laterally in a sheet

Temperature inversions start to form about 3 hr prior to sunset, become stronger as the sun sets and continue until sunrise when the surface warms and air mixing begins. If you suspect there’s an inversion, don’t spray. Often, warnings for the risk of inversions are stated right on the product label.

• If specified, use the sprayer output indicated on the pesticide label.
• Use a nozzle at a pressure that will produce the droplet size specified on the pesticide label or delivers droplets appropriate for the job.
• Coarser droplets reduce drift significantly. Air induction nozzles used above 2bar (30psi) will produce Coarse to Ultra Coarse droplets. They can be used in the top nozzle positions on air-assist sprayers in specialty crops, or along conventional horizontal booms. Ensure the droplet size and volume are appropriate for the application being performed.
• Minimize the distance between nozzle and target as much as possible while still maintaining spray uniformity.
• Establish buffer zones for the protection of adjacent sensitive areas. Some pesticide labels will state buffer zone setbacks; follow these carefully.
• Use drift reduction technology, such as hoods, shrouds, screens or air curtains.
• If appropriate, use drift-reducing adjuvants in the spray tank. The intense agitation in air-assist sprayers for specialty crops has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of drift-reducing adjuvants. Certain combinations of drift-reducing adjuvants and air-induction nozzles have been shown to increase the incidence of fine droplets. Consult with the adjuvant manufacturer.
• When possible, use non-volatile pesticide formulations or products.