Neonicotinoids to be targeted in Quebec's new pesticide rules - Action News
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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.

Neuro-active insecticide considered to be major contributor to bee-colony collapse

Neonicotinoids are considered to be harmful to bees, as well as some other species. (Andy Duback/The Associated Press)

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.

Thenew measures willattempt to modernize Quebec's laws on pesticides, which date back to 1987.

Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel is expected to roll out a new policy regulating the use of pesticides. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

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.