Comprehensive investigation of pesticides in honey, pollen, bees and soil collected from canola fields

Term: 2 years, ending April 2024
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Elemir Simko, Fatima Masood, Sarah Biganski, Sarah Wood, Jenna Thebeau, Ivanna Kozii, and Michael Zabrodski, University of Saskatchewan; Tasha Epp, Western College of Veterinary Medicine; Scott McArt, Cornell University
SaskCanola Investment: $143,750
Total Project Cost: $250,000
Funding Partners: Agriculture Development Fund

Project Description

In 2018, Health Canada proposed to phase out all agricultural uses of thiamethoxam and clothianidin neonicotinoids which are the most used insecticides for canola protection against flea beetles in the Canadian Prairies. Since then, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency undertook consultation with industry, stakeholders, and the public as well as reviewing many scientific studies and publications.

In early 2021, Health Canada decided not to implement any changes for use of neonicotinoids in canola production. While many stakeholders in the Canadian agriculture industry are pleased that Health Canada changed its original position on the use of thiamethoxam and clothianidin in agriculture, many environmental groups are not. In addition, many policy makers among various countries (e.g. European Union) have adopted different, and sometimes completely opposite, positions on neonicotinoid regulation. Research has shown that there haven’t been negative effects on colonies at lower levels of neonicotinoids, however other research has shown that Saskatchewan levels have exceeded that. We propose to perform the largest, comprehensive and scientifically sound study that will accurately document residues of 93 pesticides (including all neonicotinoids and their metabolites) in honey, pollen, bees and soil samples collected from canola fields and boreal regions across Saskatchewan. These evidence-based data will be useful for policy makers, canola producers, beekeepers, honey packers/exporters and consumers who wish to support the vibrant and mutually beneficial beekeeping and canola industries in Saskatchewan.

Purpose

Honey bees are exposed to environmental (exogenous) pesticides used for protection of plants in agriculture as well as (endogenous) medications/chemicals used by beekeepers to protect bees against pathogens. Both exogenous pesticides and endogenous medications/chemicals create a total exposome that may negatively impact honey bee health. This proposed project will generate evidence-based data regarding the total exposome consisting of 93 exogenous and endogenous pesticides/chemicals and their residues in honey bee colonies in canola fields across Saskatchewan and compare these data to the total exposome of honey bee colonies in North boreal regions. Based on our previous studies and observations, we hypothesize that the total pesticide exposome (including neonicotinoids) in Saskatchewan canola fields is comparable to the rest of the world; namely, within the safe dose ranges for pollinators. If our hypothesis is not disproved, our thorough and objective evaluation of the total pesticide exposome of Saskatchewan honey bee colonies will contribute to evidence-based, long-term policies that will enable western Canadian farmers’ continued access to neonicotinoids, which are an essential component of integrated pest management of canola against flea beetles. In turn, healthy canola crops will generate economic benefits for the Saskatchewan beekeeping industry, considering that the majority of Saskatchewan honey is harvested from canola fields.

Goal

To perform a large and comprehensive study that accurately documents residues of 93 pesticides in honey, pollen, bees and soil samples collected from canola fields and boreal regions across Saskatchewan. The evidence-based data will be useful for policy makers, canola producers, beekeepers, honeypackers/exporters and consumers.

Objectives

  1. Collection of honey, pollen, bees and soil will be collected before, during and after the canola bloom. In addition, comparable samples will be collected from apiaries in norther Saskatchewan.

  2. Each sample will be subjected to a multi-residue analysis for 93 pesticide compounds.

  3. Colony productivity will be determined by weight gain and colony health will be determined.

  4. Statistical analysis of total pesticide exposome.

Other References to this Research Project

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Discovering the optimal rate of a dual-inhibitor N-fertilizer for maximum N2O emissions reduction

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Generate knowledge and control strategies for the pollen beetle Brassicogethes viridescens (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), a new invasive insect pest of canola