By Allison Manthorne, Associate Director, Atlantic Programs & Aerial Insectivore Conservation Strategist, Birds Canada and David Browne, Ph.D. Senior Vice-President, Conservation & Policy, Birds Canada
Spring will soon be upon us, bringing with it flowers and the sweet sound of bird song as birds return from their non-breeding grounds. However, as the State of Canada’s Birds 2024 recently showed, the return of grassland birds and aerial insectivores will continue to be at historically low levels. Sadly, there are many threats responsible for the over 40 years of population decline within these two groups of birds. One relatively recent threat that Birds Canada has been raising the alarm about is the dramatic increase in the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, or “neonics”, that began in the early 2000s.
Neonics and Their Impact on Birds
The widespread use of neonic pesticides has been shown to result in insect declines, meaning less food for insectivorous birds and, when consumed on neonic-treated agricultural seed, to have troubling effects on the behaviour and health of birds. In fact, over 20 years of evidence on the negative impacts of neonics on the environment and wildlife has led to bans and stricter regulations for their use in many parts of the world, including some Canadian provinces. However, more needs to be done.
Consuming neonic-treated agricultural seed has been shown to have troubling effects on the behaviour and health of birds. White-crowned Sparrow. Photo: Melanie Howarth
Canada’s Pesticide Regulator Changes Their Evaluation
In 2018, as a result of this growing evidence of impacts, Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency completed their scientific review of a neonic called imidacloprid, and proposed “the phase-out of all the agricultural and a majority of non-agriculture uses of imidacloprid due to risks to aquatic organisms.” However, in 2021, after consultations and a re-evaluation of the evidence, the Agency changed their decision, instead deciding to cancel specific types of uses and set limits on the amount that could be applied. Although the 2021 decision stated that “risks related to the consumption of imidacloprid-treated seeds by birds and mammals were not shown to be acceptable for some exposure scenarios,” the recommendation was softened—rather than a phase out, the final decision was to limit the concentration of neonics on seeds. This means large amounts of neonic pesticides continue to be released into the environment, including soil and water, and birds continue to consume neonic-coated seed.
Concerns Over How the Re-Evaluation Was Conducted
Late last fall, concerning information came to light: the Pest Management Regulatory Agency may not have considered key scientific evidence of the environmental impacts of neonics, and pesticide industry influence could have played a role in decision-making. As a science-based organization that is actively involved in generating new knowledge about insectivorous birds so we can make smart decisions about how to eliminate threats and recover populations, Birds Canada takes this very seriously.
Taking Action to Protect Birds
In late November, we joined other nature and environmental organizations in writing a letter to the Honourable Mark Holland, federal Minister of Health, requesting that he urgently establish an independent panel to review the government’s re-evaluation of neonic pesticides that led to the 2021 change in decision and a continued risk to birds. On January 22nd, the Minister responded. His response did not commit to any urgent action but did leave the door open to an independent review and confirmed that the Agency would engage with nature and environmental organizations to address our concerns with transparency and public confidence in Agency decision-making.
How You Can Help
As birds return to our fields and forests this spring, they need us to reduce threats to their habitats and young, including the risks posed by pesticides. This means taking action across multiple scales – in our own backyards and in calling for stricter regulation.
As a supporter, your actions make a difference. This spring, you can:
- Contact your local MP, MLA, or town council to ask them what they are doing to eliminate the risks to birds and other wildlife from pesticides.
- Make your garden bird-friendly by avoiding plants treated with neonics and creating a welcoming habitat (visit Birdgardens.ca for tips).
For our part, Birds Canada will continue to support a phase out of neonicotinoid pesticide uses that harm aerial insectivores and other bird groups.
