Drone Use in Pesticide Application Approved
Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA).
Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique features like lower pesticide load and limited flight time.
For drone spraying to be legal, the pesticide label must mention "Remotely Piloted Aircraft System" or "RPAS." Without this wording, using drones for application is not allowed. Labels must also provide clear directions, including safety procedures and usage limits.
Drone pilots must have certification from Transport Canada. Additionally, provinces and territories may require separate pesticide application training and certification. It's important to check local requirements before using drones for this purpose.
Only certain pest control products, such as some biological larvicides approved in September 2022, are currently registered for drone use. These were approved without extra drone-specific data because they posed low risk.
Health Canada has yet to approve drone use for pesticides that need a drone-specific risk evaluation. To expand drone use, registrants must submit detailed data to Health Canada, proving the drone application is safe and effective.
To help companies prepare, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) offers a free pre-submission consultation service. This helps registrants understand the application process for label amendments related to drone use.
Using any pesticide in a way not listed on the label is a violation of the law. Farmers are encouraged to read the label thoroughly and consult Health Canada’s online pesticide label database for the most current information.
As a result of the changes, the Ministry of Agriculture in Saskatchewan is proposing to revise The Pest Control Products Regulations, 2015 to permit a licence category of RPAS in Saskatchewan, it is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the proposed changes.
Drone pesticide spraying is a new step in modern farming, offering access to hard-to-reach areas while maintaining safety and environmental standards.
Photo Credit: Pexels - JE Shoots