Understanding agronomic prescription

The object of agronomic prescription is to reduce the use of pesticides by promoting professional support for agricultural producers. It is prepared by an agronomist, who analyzes the situation to determine whether the application of any of the targeted pesticides is really necessary.

It is prohibited to apply by land or by aircraft a Class 1, 2 or 3 pesticide containing atrazine or one of the three targeted neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam), and to plant seeds of certain crops that are insecticide-coated (Class 3A), unless an agronomic prescription has first been obtained from an agronomist. This document also authorizes the purchase of the pesticide. For more information, see the list of the trade names of applicable pesticides (In French only).

If you are a farmer or a contract applicator of pesticides in an agricultural setting, make sure that:

• The terms of the agronomic prescription are met and it contains all the required information (PDF 164 Kb). The prescription must cover only one crop per parcel of land or group of parcels and be valid for a maximum of one year;
• You provide the vendor with the prescription authorizing the purchase of the covered pesticide;
• You keep a copy of the agronomic prescription for a minimum of five years and submit them to the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) upon request.

If you are an agronomist, make sure that:

• All required information is included in the agronomic prescription. Refer to the checklist of required information (PDF 164 Kb) and use the Agronomic prescription templates (DOCX 240 Kb);
• Prescriptions are valid for a maximum of one year and cover only one crop per parcel of land or group of parcels.

The Justification, progress and implementation document (PDF 295 Kb) (In French only) provides a summary of actions taken and results obtained during the first four years of implementation of the agronomic justification and prescription process.

Under the terms applicable to farming in littoral zones (in French only), producers may be authorized until March 1, 2027, to apply by land a pesticide in the littoral zone of a lake or watercourse , as well as in a three-metre strip along or around them, except in a three metre strip on each side of watercourses and a one metre strip alongside ditches. The following requirements are mandatory:

• Obtain agronomic prescription for Class 1 to Class 3 pesticides, except for biopesticides or pesticides intended to destroy grasslands, and before planting seeds of certain crops that are coated with any pesticide (Classes 3A and 3B);
• Comply with the terms of the agronomic prescription and ensure that the prescription contains all required information (PDF 164 Kb). Prescription must cover only one crop per parcel of land or group of parcels, be valid for a maximum of one year, and allow a maximum of three active ingredients in the choice of treatment;
• Apply Class 1 to Class 3 pesticides by September 1 of each year and only to growing crops or no-till plots;
• Retain the agronomic prescription for at least five years and submit it upon request to the MELCCFP.

An agronomic prescription is still required for the purchase and application of one of the highest-risk pesticides.

Consult these Agronomic prescription templates (DOCX 240 Kb) and the Pesticide Management Code reference manual (PDF 7.44 Mb) (In French only) for more information.