Anishinabek AgriculturePesticides (Mjimshkiki)
A pesticide is a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms that are harmful to plants or animals. Pesticides include herbicides for destroying weeds and other unwanted vegetation, insecticides for controlling a wide variety of insects, fungicides used to prevent the growth of molds and mildew, disinfectants for preventing the spread of bacteria, and compounds used to control mice and rats. Because of the widespread use of agricultural chemicals in food production, people are exposed to low levels of pesticide residues through their diets. People may be exposed to pesticides in many settings.
In Ontario, pesticide use is regulated under the Pesticides Act and Regulation 63/09. Health Canada registers all pesticides for use in Canada.
There are five classes of pesticides, A, B, C, D and E. Class A Pesticides are used in the manufacture of pest control produces. Class B pesticides are restriced out of concern for environmental risk or human health. Special qualifications are required for people to use these products. Class C pesticides are used by the general public for personal use around their homes and are sold commercially. Class D pesticides are for domestic use. Class E are for neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are used as a seed treatment on a wide variety of agricultural crops in particular corn and soybean seeds.
To use Class B and C pesticides on farms, farmers must receive training and become certified through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (CPSC), a one day in person course.
When pesticides are applied to food crops, some residue may remain on the crop at harvest time. This residue is referred to as the Maximum Residue Limit or MRL.