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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Alberta and Saskatchewan urge federal agency to reconsider pesticide ruling for farmers

Feb 27, 2023 | 2:15 PM

The governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan are urging the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to reconsider its decision on a crucial insecticide for farmers.

The PMRA recently changed approved uses for lambda-cyhalothrin, what officials say is an effective pesticide that many farmers rely on to control grasshoppers and flea beetles.

The federal government says on their website they made the changes as “health risks were not shown to be acceptable when used according to the current conditions of registration, or when additional mitigation is considered.”

Among other changes, the pesticide can no longer be used for any crop that may end up as livestock feed. As a result, its manufacturers have pulled their products from Western Canada.

Due to a continued drought in some parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the provincial governments say grasshoppers are again likely to be a concern in the 2023 growing season. They claim that the PMRA’s decision leaves farmers with one less tool to address potentially destructive pests.

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“At a time when our farmers are finally finding their footing after a rough couple of years, this decision could set many of them back. I urge the federal ministers and the PMRA to reconsider their decision and make it easier, not harder, for Alberta’s farmers to feed people in Canada and across the world,” said Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

The provinces say that it could also mean the inability for canola producers to sell their products as livestock feed, which could impact availability for cattle and lamb producers, and possible total food production impacts in a time of worldwide food insecurity.

“Without access to effective insecticides, Saskatchewan producers are at risk of being placed at a competitive disadvantage and will be facing significant losses. Saskatchewan supports industry’s calls for an extension to the lambda-cyhalothrin re-evaluation decision to alleviate pressure on producers and help ensure a stable supply of feed for livestock,” said David Marit, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture.

In 2019, the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency removed restrictions on lambda-cyhalothrin’s use. As the PMRA made the opposite decision, the provinces say this has led to confusion about what will be done about livestock feed coming from Alberta’s largest trading partner.

“With extreme flea beetle pressure, hot spots for grasshoppers and cutworms across the Prairies and forecasted outbreaks, the lambda-cyhalothrin decision could severely impact our yields, our livelihoods, feedstocks and food prices. Lambda-cyhalothrin has a significant market share, and it will strain farmers to source alternative products. The PMRA needs to base its decisions on sound science and be aligned with our largest trading partner,” said Roger Chevraux, Chair of Alberta Canola, and Keith Fournier, Chair of SaskCanola.

Minister Horner and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Marit say they have written to the ministers of Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, outlining producers’ concerns and urging them to encourage the PMRA to reconsider its decision.

To ensure western farmers have an effective solution for the coming growing season, they say the PMRA would need to enact an emergency reinstatement, which would also give the agency time to make an informed decision.