Rules governing application

The use of pesticides in agricultural settings can result in water, air and soil contamination, as well as risks to the health of the applicator and the public. Always comply with requirements governing the storage, preparation and application of pesticides.

The “Commercial Pesticide Application” page sets out the general rules for pesticide preparation and application.

If you are a farmer or farm employee, you must hold a Farmer’s Certificate for the Application of Pesticides (Subclass E1 or E2) or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.
If your company is applying pesticides for an agricultural producer, make sure you are licensed for cultivated land application (Subclass C8). If you are applying pesticides as an employee, you must hold a CD8 certificate or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.

As of January 1, 2025, a permit or certificate of this kind will be required to plant pesticide-coated seeds of certain crops. 

The following is mandatory:

• Comply with distancing requirements (PDF 376 Kb) that apply to sensitive environments, including those related to the grounds of daycare centres and schools;
• Comply with the conditions set out in the agronomic justification obtained prior to applying pesticides containing atrazine, chlorpyrifos or one of the three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam) that may also be used in seed coating. For more information, see the list of trade names of covered pesticides  (in French only);
• Comply with distancing requirements that apply to protected buildings (PDF 6.86 Mb) (in French only) if you use an air-blast sprayer or pneumatic sprayer that generates significant drift. These requirements may be eased  in some circumstances;
• Comply with the conditions for pesticide application (in French only) when cultivating in littoral zones;
• Maintain a current Pesticide Use Register (PDF 493 Kb) (in French only). You can use this sample use register template (DOCX 70 Kb) (in French only)) or, if you hold a Subclass C8 permit, this one (DOC 0.90 Mb) (in French only);
• Follow the rules for forested areas if you plan to apply pesticides in a farm woodlot.

If your company (agricultural or other) applies pesticides using an aircraft (for example, an airplane or helicopter), make sure your company is licensed for aerial application (Subclass C1 or D1).

If you are applying pesticides from an aircraft as an agricultural producer or company employee, make sure you hold a Subclass CD1 certificate or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.

The following is mandatory:

• Identify the limits of the areas to be treated with markers or a flight line guidance system prior to commencing pesticide application;
• Comply with the distance from sensitive elements (PDF 376 Kb) requirements, including those related to the grounds of daycare centres and schools;
• Comply with the conditions set out in the agronomic justification obtained prior to applying pesticides containing atrazine, chlorpyrifos or one of the three targeted neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam).

The pilot or person supervising spraying must have a map or aerial photograph at hand that clearly identifies permitted and prohibited application areas and covers 300 metres around the application zone.

Drone pesticide application is not currently approved in agricultural settings.

As a permit holder, be sure to maintain and keep a current register of your pesticide purchases and use. Depending on your permit, you can use this template (DOC 0.90 Mb) (in French only) (Class C permit) or this one (DOC 555 Kb) (in French only) (Class D permit).

If you are a farmer or farm employee and apply pesticides to protect your greenhouse crops, you must hold a Farmer’s Certificate for Application in Buildings for Horticultural Purposes (Subclass E3) or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.

Ensure that your company holds a permit for Application in Buildings for Horticultural Purposes (Subclass C10 or D10) if your company is a flat rate applicator of pesticides for horticultural purpose inside buildings, for vegetable or herb production for example.

If you are applying pesticides in buildings for horticultural purposes as an employee of this type of company, make sure you hold a CD10 Subclass certificate or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.

As a permit holder, be sure to maintain and keep a current register of your pesticide purchases and uses. Depending on your permit, you can use this template (DOC 0.90 Mb) (in French only) (Class C permit) or this one (DOC 555 Kb) (in French only) (Class D permit).

The “Commercial Pesticide Application” page sets out the general rules for preparing and applying pesticides.

If you are a farmer or a farm employee, you must hold a Certificate for Application by Fumigation (Subclass E5) in order to apply methyl bromide, carbon dioxide, sulfuryl fluoride, ethylene oxide or phosphine, or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.

If your company is a flat-rate applicator of these types of pesticides, for example in a grain elevator, it must be licensed for fumigation purposes (Subclass C6 or D6).

If you are applying these pesticides by fumigation as a company employee, you must hold a CD6 Subclass certificate or work under the supervision of a certificate holder.
Before fumigating in a confined area, make sure that:

• No person other than the applicator is present at the application site and not exposed to the pesticides;
• All livestock and pets have been evacuated and not exposed to the pesticides;
• All openings are sealed;
• All entrances are sealed, and a sign prohibiting access (PDF 502 Kb) (in French only) is posted.

As a permit holder, be sure to maintain and keep a current register of your pesticide purchases and uses. Depending on your permit, you can use this template (DOC 0.90 Mb) (in French only) (Class C permit) or this one (DOC 555 Kb) (in French only) (Class D permit).