Crop Spray Drift Notifications
Year: 2024
Resolution
WHEREAS, residents of an urban municipality rely on administration for information; and
WHEREAS, individuals should have the right to protect themselves, or remove themselves from potential crop spray drift;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to establish necessary legislation and regulations requiring aerial spray applicators to give notice to neighbouring urban municipality when spraying is to take place within 2 miles of an urban municipal boundary.
Provincial Response
Dear Randy Goulden:
Thank you for your letter addressed to Minister Christine Tell dated April 22, 2024 and the opportunity to respond to the resolution adopted at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association annual convention regarding crop spray drift notifications.
Responsibility for the regulation of pesticides in Canada is shared by both the federal and provincial government. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) regulates all pesticides manufactured, used, sold or imported into Canada under the Pest Control Products Act. The Ministry of Agriculture (ministry) is responsible for regulating licensed pesticide applicators in Saskatchewan, while Health Canada is responsible for regulating pesticide use by individuals, including agricultural producers. Transport Canada also has responsibility for the regulation of an aircraft while performing a pesticide application.
A pesticide becomes registered for use in Canada only after PMRA has conducted a scientific evaluation to determine that the pesticide does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. PMRA evaluates pesticides thoroughly, setting safety standards like wind speed limits for application and spray buffer zones to safeguard sensitive areas and avoid spray drift. PMRA will determine a pesticide's buffer zone using a scientific risk assessment considering various factors, including pesticide toxicity. These standards are designed to protect human health and the environment and are identified on each pesticide's label.
It is important to recognize that application conditions may differ based on the specific chemical. A pesticide label is a legal document and serves as a legal guide for pesticide proper handling and use. Therefore, all pesticide applicators, whether ground-based or aerial, must strictly follow label guidelines for safe and effective pesticide use. Not following the label is a violation of both federal and provincial pesticide legislation.
The ministry enforces The Pest Control Products (Saskatchewan) Act, and is responsible for investigating complaints related to pesticide misapplication, misuse or unsafe practices in the province by a licenced applicator. Health Canada is responsible for complaints related to pesticide misapplication, misuse or unsafe practices in the province by individuals, including agriculture producers.
In the event of a pesticide misapplication individuals or municipalities can contact the following:
- Complaints related to a licenced applicator, contact the ministry at crops@gov.sk.ca or 306-787-4660.
- Complaints related to individuals, including agriculture producers, contact Health Canada Prairie Region at info.pesticides.prairies@hc-sc.gc.ca or 306-537-0100.
- Complaints related to the operation of an aircraft, including night flying, low-flying, and flying over built-up areas or towns, contact Transport Canada. Civil Aviation, Issues Management Prairie and Northern Region pnrcivavissues-enjeuxrpnavciv@tc.gc.ca.
Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to this resolution passed by Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association delegates.
David Marit
Minister of Agriculture
cc: Christine Tell, Minister of Environment
Jonathan Greuel, Executive Director, Agriculture
