Approvals Issued for Spraying

The Department of Environment has issued six new approvals for pesticide spraying covering about 1,351 hectares.

The approvals are all for forestry. Three are for aerial and three are for ground spraying.

Three previously issued multi-year approvals also allow spraying this year.

Any pesticides that are used must be registered through Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency. This federal agency determines whether a product is safe for use. More information is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management.html .

Companies that want to do pesticide treatments by air and ground on forested land, utility corridors and rights-of-way, highways or roads must apply to the Department of Environment for approvals. Spraying is done for forestry management as well as for safety along transportation routes.

All provinces allow pesticide spraying.

Approval decisions are made by department staff according to the pesticide regulations under the Environment Act. Approvals contain specific terms and conditions that must be met, such as:

• maintaining separation distances
• providing notification to the public about spraying times
• requirements for storage and handling of these products.

The approvals are available at http://novascotia.ca/nse/pesticide-spray/ .

Two more applications are pending. Any further approvals will be added to the website.