Montreal bans neonicotinoid pesticide to help save the bees

The City of Montreal iscompletely banningneonicotinoid pesticides in an effortto better protect the bee population.

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Neonicotinoids are nicotine-based insecticides that contain neurotoxins that make all parts of the plant harmful to insects feeding on them.

In Canada, the pesticidesare used in coated seeds in the cultivation of more 50 different fruits and vegetables.

Researchers believe they are among the factorsthat have contributed to themassive decline in bee colony populations in North America in recent years.

In the past, neonicotinoiduse has been restricted in Montreal, butcitizens and businessescould obtain a temporary permit to use it to control vermin or ants.

Applies to golf courses

The new total prohibition, announced last night at the executive committee meeting,also applies to golf courses and propertiesused for agricultural purposes.

"This tighter control of pesticides will, among other things, allow usto better protect bees and other pollinators,"RalMnard, Montreal'sexecutive committee member responsible for the environment, said in a news release.

The move is in line with a larger strategy by Quebec's environment ministry to place tighter controls on pesticide use in the province.

In November, Environment Minister David Heurtel announced plans to implement a new strategy updating the province's pesticide regulationsthat will restrict the use of certain chemicals deemed "high-risk."

The new strategyprimarily focuses limiting certain pesticides used in agriculture, likeneonicotinoidsandatrazine, which have been banned in Europe for more than 10 years.