Health Canada has opened a public consultation on proposed regulatory changes that could expand drone pesticide application in Canada. The consultation is led by the department’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). It invites feedback from stakeholders and the public until March 25.
At present, Canada allows drone pesticide application only for products specifically registered for use with drones, often called remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). Very few pesticide products currently have that approval.
The proposal would allow many pesticides already approved for aerial spraying to also be used with drones. These products already permit application by fixed-wing or rotary aircraft.
Applicators would still need to follow all label directions for aerial use. This includes spray volume, droplet size, application rate, treatment intervals and spray buffer zones.
The PMRA says drone use under existing aerial instructions should not affect the effectiveness or value of the pesticide. Global research also suggests spray drift from pesticide spraying by drone is similar to ground-based spraying.
The agency reports that pesticide residues on food crops should not increase when drones apply products instead of conventional equipment. Existing spray buffer zones for piloted rotary aircraft are also expected to remain adequate.
The PMRA notes that data on operator exposure during drone-based spraying remains limited. However, available evidence suggests exposure levels are unlikely to exceed those from conventional spraying equipment.
In most operations, different workers handle mixing, loading and spraying. This separation reduces exposure risk and reflects current aerial spraying practices.
The PMRA began studying the use of drones for pesticide spraying in 2019. During a federal agriculture committee meeting in 2025, PMRA senior director general Frédéric Bissonette said scientific challenges slowed progress. Drones behave differently from conventional aircraft, which required additional study.
Drone operators would still need the appropriate licensing from Transport Canada.
Industry groups have also raised concerns about the pace of regulation. CropLife Canada has noted that other jurisdictions already allow pesticide spraying by drone. Companies in the crop protection sector are also conducting studies to gather product-specific data to support expanded drone pesticide application approvals
