Nepean, Ont. (Rural Roots Canada) – Agricultural drone operators in Canada have a clearer path to apply pesticides by drone following an interim measure from Health Canada that industry groups say marks a major step forward.
The Canadian Aerial Drone Association (CADA) announced Wednesday that it has received a Letter of No Objection (LONO) from Health Canada’s Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD), allowing the application of pesticides by drones when those products are already registered for conventional aerial application.
Under the interim arrangement, Health Canada has indicated that drone applications may be acceptable where a product label already contains aerial application directions for the crop being treated.
Operators must continue to comply with all aerial label requirements, including spray volume, application rates, droplet size, buffer zones, personal protective equipment and any other conditions of use. Operators must also meet all other federal and provincial requirements, including Transport Canada certification requirements for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
CADA says the decision is particularly important given the unusually wet conditions in parts of Western Canada and short herbicide application windows. This interim pathway applies to all pest control products with aerial labels, including fungicides, dessicants and insecticides.
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The associations caution that drone application isn’t without risk, particularly with herbicide applications. It says spraying must be conducted carefully, professionally, and in full compliance with label and safety requirements.
However, for farmers unable to access fields using ground equipment, drone applications may provide an alternative where no practical options exist.
CADA says it plans to publish additional guidance for members, applicators, farmers and industry partners in the weeks ahead as it develops best management practices and industry standards.
CADA was founded in 2025 as a not-for-profit national association with a board of nine directors representing Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Its mission is to advance the safe, effective, and innovative use of drones in Canadian agriculture by advocating for fair regulations, connecting members through events and shared resources, providing education and training and promoting research and best practices.
The association emphasized that the LONO is not a general exemption from pesticide laws, does not replace pesticide label requirements, does not replace Transport Canada RPAS regulations and does not replace provincial pesticide applicator certification or licensing requirements.
Operators are encouraged to review the specific wording of the LONO and determine whether it applies to their product, crop, province, applicator status and operating scenario.
You can read the full Letter of No Objection at this link.
