Health Canada is reviewing drone pesticide policies. This is a rare chance for Canadian farmers to speak directly — and it closes in days.
Health Canada's PMRA has released Regulatory Proposal PRO2026-01, which would allow drones to apply pesticides that are already approved for conventional aerial use — without needing new label amendments. Your input during this 30-day window directly shapes the final policy.
Wet soils and late-season pressure mean timing is everything. Drones access fields that ground rigs and large aircraft can't — without the wait.
Eliminating mobilization costs and reducing product waste adds up quickly — especially for smaller operations and remote fields.
Drones remove the applicator from the aircraft entirely. Research shows occupational exposure risk is no higher than conventional methods.
PMRA's own data shows drone spray drift behaves more like ground equipment. Precise targeting means less product in unintended areas.
The US, Brazil, Australia, and most of Asia already permit drone spraying. Off-label use is already happening here — without guidance or support.
Crop protection companies, commodity groups, and AAFC researchers are prepared to back this change. The science has been done.
It's Health Canada's proposal to allow drones (RPAS) to apply any pesticide that's already registered for conventional aerial use — without requiring individual label amendments for each product.
No. Only products already approved for aerial application would be allowed. Products labelled "DO NOT apply by air" are still prohibited.
A Transport Canada RPAS pilot certificate, WHMIS training, and compliance with provincial pesticide applicator certification. All existing label directions for aerial use must still be followed.
Yes — PMRA's own data says drone drift is more like ground equipment than traditional aircraft. Food residue data from AAFC also shows residues are not higher with drones.
Absolutely. Many farmers write to support the option for the future, for their neighbours, or for the Canadian ag sector broadly. Your support counts regardless of drone ownership.
PMRA requires comments via the Public Engagement Portal, or by email to pmra.publications-arla@hc-sc.gc.ca. The tool below prepares your letter — you send it from your own account.
Want to read the original proposal before writing? PRO2026-01 Consultation Document ↗
Choose the themes that reflect your situation. The tool drafts a personal letter in your voice — which you can edit, then copy to send by email or print to mail.
Select all that apply to you. Each theme adds specific, factual arguments to your letter. You must select at least one.
If you were to start using a drone on your farm, what pest control products would make sense agronomically, financially, and environmentally? Add one or more combinations.
How would you like your letter to read?
PMRA requires your contact information for the submission to be valid. This information will appear in your letter exactly as entered — it is not stored or shared by this tool.
Review and edit your letter below. When satisfied, copy it to email or print for postal mail.
Drafting your letter…