PMRA Issues Information Note Regarding the Use of Drones when Applying Pesticides

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has released a statement regarding the use of pest control products and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

The aerial application industry in Canada is aware that drone technology is up and coming and that drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada. But as the article states operators of drones “are responsible for meeting other applicable regulatory requirements established by other Government of Canada departments.”

According to Pest Control Products Regulations in Canada all pest control products, including limitations and procedures to reduce associated risks of the product, must be clearly indicated on the product label. Currently, no label amendment applications for the use of drones in applying pest control products have been submitted for approval in Canada.

For individuals interested in using drones as a method for applying pest control products they must first work with the registrant to submit a label amendment “applications to PMRA, along with sufficient data to characterize the hazards/risks associated with this use.”

What this means is drones are not permitted to be used to apply pest control products in Canada. For more information or to read the full article released by the Health Canada please follow this link.

Sincerely,

Shara Tardif
Executive Director
Canadian Aerial Applicators Association
P:
(780) 413-0078
www.canadianaerialapplicators.com
info@canadianaerialapplicators.com
shara@managewise.ca