The Government of Canada says protecting the health and safety of citizens and the environment is top priority when it comes to regulating pest control products.
The federal government is backing Health Canada's proposal for a three-year phase out of agricultural use for the neonic imidacloprid.
Ag products that currently have no alternative solutions will be phased out over five years.
Health Canada has completed a re-evaluation of the neonic and has found it to be unsustainable.
It says levels of the pesticide found in waterways are high enough to be harmful to aquatic insects, which are important food sources for fish, birds and small mammals.
The government is holding a 90-day commentary period in addition to a multi-stakeholder forum as part of the consultation phase.
Minister of Health Jane Philpott says the announcement is based on a detailed scientific evaluation.
She adds the motion reflects the government's commitment to evidence-based decisions.
Health Canada notes concentration of the neonic have been found in rare cases as high as 11.9 parts per billion, while researchers suggest anything above 0.041 ppb is a concern.
