Pest Management Regulatory Agency newsletter
In this issue:
- Senior management updates at the PMRA
- Transformation update
- IT Modernization input
- Residual solvents
- Heavy metals
- Chemistry requirements for food-derived technical and end-use products
- Information note regarding dsRNA-based pesticides
- New minor-use registrations for spotted lanternfly
- Genetic pest control - Report by the Council of Canadian Academies
- Modernizing the Aerial Spray Deposition Model
- 2024 Annual Charge Overview
- PMRA fee review proposal
- Regulations Amending the Pest Control Products Regulations – Canada Gazette, Part I
- Canada Gazette, Part II publication: A New Modern Regulatory Framework for Biocides
- Planned post-market review publications for FY 2024-2025 from REV2024-01
- Planned re-evaluation initiations for FY 2024-2025 from REV2024-01
- Information on ongoing special reviews
- Pesticide product changes: Amendments and cancellations
Here is the latest news from Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). The newsletter is issued periodically and reports on the implementation of postmarket decisions, important Agency initiatives and projects, upcoming consultations and information to help registrants and stakeholders navigate PMRA business processes.
Check out the latest postmarket review work plan
On 3 May 2023, the latest work plan for postmarket reviews was published. The work plan (REV2024-01) lets you know when new re-evaluations are expected to be initiated and when consultation and decision documents of re-evaluations and special reviews are planned to be published.
Senior management updates at the PMRA
Recently, the PMRA's senior management structure was modified. Manon Bombardier is now the Assistant Deputy Minister at the PMRA working closely with Frédéric Bissonnette, who has taken on the new role of Senior Director General of Regulatory Science and Operations, and Lindsay Noad, who has taken on the role of Senior Director General, Horizontal Policy and Integration.
Jason Flint is now acting Chief Registrar (Director General of Registration Directorate) at the PMRA.
In the Health Evaluation Directorate, Director General Connie Moase has retired following a long and distinguished career at the PMRA. As of 13 May 2024, Minoli Silva has taken over Director General duties while a long-term replacement is selected.
In the Environmental Assessment Directorate, Director General Janine Murray has retired after many dedicated years throughout the public service. Acting Director General duties will be assumed by Heather Simmons until a permanent replacement is chosen. We know that stakeholders will join us in wishing Connie and Janine all the best in their well-deserved retirements!
Transformation update
Although the initial funding period for the development of Transformation initiatives at the PMRA has passed, the projects and new policies that have been adopted are now being implemented and the work is moving forward. Follow the links for the latest information on various projects under Transformation at the PMRA, including Continuous Oversight, Water Monitoring and the Targeted Review of the Pest Control Products Act.
On 16 April, the Government of Canada's 2024 budget included $39 million to Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) over the next two years, to strengthen the pesticide regulatory system, and continue to monitor and promote sustainable pesticide use in Canada.
IT modernization input
The PMRA is in the process of modernizing its information technology (IT) systems. Accomplishments last year included the first release of a web-based eIndex Builder, new HTML forms and tools, and stakeholder engagement associated with a new pesticide use information intake form and structured label. This year, we plan to update the secure web portal with new functionalities designed to more seamlessly manage and share data and documents. Finally, we will continue to develop the structured label by taking advantage of user experience through a proof of concept exercise.
The PMRA is aware of many issues and limitations with the first release of the new web-based eIndex Builder. Many of the issues will be resolved with the next update later in the summer, and we expect the release of the new portal will address the remaining limitations users are experiencing. The PMRA will continue to accept PRZ files that were made using the old desktop version in the meantime. However, be aware that the old version may not contain DACOs for some new forms.
The vision is to transform the PMRA systems, moving from a legacy document-based process to a future with an end-to-end data centric business model, where all regulatory processes are managed within an interconnected system. This will enable registrants to file and manage their applications via an external facing portal, facilitate a more efficient data-driven scientific review process and allows the PMRA to more effectively release the data that supports our reviews, thus improving transparency.
For more information about the changes and release dates, please refer to the new IT Modernization webpage or contact us at pmra.it.modernisation.ti.arla@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Residual solvents
The PMRA has established limits for certain residual solvents of concern in technical grade active ingredients to minimize their levels in the manufacture of pest control products (DACO 2.13.4), in order to protect the health of Canadians and the environment.
Heavy metals
The PMRA has established limits of quantitation (LOQs) for the methods used to measure heavy metals considered to be of concern in technical grade active ingredients to minimize their levels in the manufacture of pest control products (DACO 2.13.4), in order to protect the health of Canadians and the environment.
Chemistry requirements for food-derived technical and end-use products
The PMRA has developed attestation forms to streamline reviews of food-derived technical and end-use products in order to introduce efficiencies to the review process.
6302 - Attestation form for mycotoxin levels in Technical Grade Active Ingredient (TGAI) or Integrated System Product (ISP)
6303 - Attestation form for chemistry requirements for Food Grade Edible (FGE) Technical Grade Active Ingredient (TGAI) or Integrated System Product (ISP)
6304 - Attestation form for chemistry requirements for End-use Product (EP) or Manufacturing Concentrate (MA) containing Food Grade Edible (FGE) active ingredient(s)
In addition, applicants are required to submit levels of residual solvents of concern used in the manufacturing or extraction process of Food-Grade (Food Chemicals Codex - FCC) technical grade active ingredient products when they are not included in the FCC monographs. The analysis must be conducted using an appropriate validated method, such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatography (GC). The levels of solvents of concern in technical grade active ingredients must be shown not to exceed the established limits.
The analysis of solvents of concern is not required for Food-Grade Edible (FGE) technical grade active ingredients products.
Information note regarding dsRNA-based pesticides
The PMRA has published an Information note regarding dsRNA-based pesticides on Canada.ca to communicate the current regulatory status of double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA)-based pesticides, and the current approach to their regulation under the Pest Control Products Act.
New minor-use registrations for spotted lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive sap-feeding planthopper with the potential to harm agriculture and forestry in Ontario and is a quarantine pest in Canada. If you see a suspected spotted lanternfly, Report your sightings to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Follow this link and see this infographic for more information on SLF.
The PMRA has been involved in engagement and advisory activities involving SLF through working groups with other government departments and grower groups for a number of years. In 2023, the PMRA approved an emergency registration for one year for the active ingredient flupyradifurone on ornamental crops. Also in 2023, two minor use registrations were approved: the active ingredient fenpropathrin for use on several horticulture crop groups and the active ingredient potassium salts of fatty acids for use on certain horticultural and ornamental crops. This year, two additional minor use registrations will be completed for flupyradifurone for use against SLF, one for a variety of horticultural crop groups and one on outdoor ornamentals.
| Product | Active ingredient |
Use siteFootnote 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Danitol Insecticide Reg. No. 33817 |
Fenpropathrin | Pome fruits (Crop Group 11-09), Stone fruits (Crop Group 12-09), |
| Kopa Insecticidal Soap Reg. No. 31433 |
Potassium salts of fatty acids | Fruit trees Grapes Ornamental and shade trees Outdoor flowering, foliage, and bedding plants |
| Sivanto Prime Insecticide Reg. No. 31452 |
Flupyradifurone | Pome fruits (Crop Group 11-09), Stone fruits (Crop Group 12-09), Small fruits vine climbing, except fuzzy Kiwifruit (Crop Subgroup 13-07F) |
| Altus Insecticide Reg. No. 33176 |
Flupyradifurone | Outdoor nursery and landscape ornamentals |
|
||
Genetic pest control - Report by the Council of Canadian Academies
On 8 November 2023, the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) published the report Framing Challenges and Opportunities for Canada. This report highlights the findings of the expert panel on regulating gene-edited organisms for pest control (or, "genetic pest control"). The report concluded that while gene-editing may be a useful tool for pest control in Canada, further research and development is needed to explore the potential risks involved.
Modernizing the aerial spray deposition model
As of 1 June 2024, the PMRA will be updating versions of the spray deposition model used to determine regulatory aerial spray buffer zones (BZs) from AGDISP version 8.21 to 8.29. The PMRA has evaluated several updated versions of AGDISP and considers version 8.29 to be the most suitable for regulatory use. AGDISP version 8.29 will be used to determine the aerial BZs on all new active ingredients, upcoming re-evaluations, and the addition of new aerial applications to registered actives currently permitted for ground application only. All aerial BZs for other currently registered pesticides will continue to be determined with AGDISP version 8.21 until the active undergoes re-evaluation.
In addition to updating the model version, several of the model inputs will also be updated to reflect current use scenarios, including:
- Aircraft – To reflect the current most popular aircraft in Canada, the default aircraft will be changed to the Air-Tractor AT502B (fixed-wing) and the Bell 206 B Jet Ranger III (rotary-wing).
- Wind speed – To better align with labelled wind speeds, the default modelled wind speed will be changed from 4.47 m/s (10 mph) to 4.44 m/s (16 km/h).
- Surface roughness – To represent a larger majority of field crops grown in Canada, surface roughness for crops will be changed from 0.1 (~ 3 m crop) to 0.01 (~ 0.3 m crop). Surface roughness is related to the surface texture and affects the wind profile that determines the downwind transport of released material.
- Swath offset – To align with current pilot practice, the swath offset will be changed from "0" (aircraft body situated on field perimeter) to "½" (wing tip situated on field perimeter).
Overall, these changes will allow the PMRA to more precisely determine the aerial spray BZs needed to protect aquatic and terrestrial habitats while also considering aerial application equipment and methods that are more representative of current Canadian use scenarios.
2024 Annual charge overview:
- All registrants are required to pay an annual charge for each active product registered in their name.
- This charge remains payable as long as the product is registered, irrespective of whether the product is actively being sold or not.
- The annual charge is required until the expiration date of the product.
- The 2024 Annual Charge Forms were sent to all registrants in February.
- Registrants are required to complete sales information in these annual charge forms.
- This is separate from the requirement to report sales volumes to the Sales Reporting Program (pmrasales-ventesarla@hc-sc.gc.ca).
Annual charge sales audit:
- Registrants who apply for fee reductions based on low/no sales may be subject to an audit.
- These registrants may be required to have a qualified independent auditor or chartered accountant review and certify their sales records.
2024 Annual charge invoices:
- The 2024 annual charge invoices will be sent to registrants via email in April 2024.
- Registrants have the option of paying the invoices in one payment or in quarterly payments.
New online payment option:
- Credit card payments can be made using the new Common Online Payment System at Payment - Health Canada.
- Acceptable card types include:
- Visa and Visa Debit
- MasterCard and Debit MasterCard
- American Express
- To use this service, you must have a valid customer number or group account number.
- Please see the Requirements section on how to locate or obtain these numbers
PMRA fee review proposal
On 31 January 2024, Health Canada launched consultations on a proposal to update postmarket fees for pest control products. In response to stakeholder requests, the Department extended the original 60-day consultation period by two weeks. The consultation period closed on April 14, 2024.
By updating the annual charge, Health Canada seeks to improve the sustainability of Health Canada's pesticide program, better reflect Health Canada's current regulatory costs for pesticides, and better align with fee regimes of other foreign regulators.
Health Canada anticipates publishing proposed regulatory amendments to the Pest Control Products Fees and Charges Regulations in the Canada Gazette Part 1 in Fall 2024 with regulatory amendments targeting final publication in 2025. The implementation of the revised annual charge would follow thereafter.
Regulations Amending the Pest Control Products Regulations – Canada Gazette, Part I
The Pest Control Products Act and its regulations provide the legislative framework for the regulation of pest control products federally. Recently, proposed amendments to the Pest Control Product Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part I, which aim to support the strategic objectives of the PMRA's transformation initiative by improving transparency and access to information and data, and further strengthening environmental protection. The proposed amendments are classified under four items:
- Facilitate access to confidential test data (CTD)
- Proposed requirements for MRL applications
- Proposed amendment on cumulative effects on the environment
- Proposed amendment on species at risk
The consultation period for these amendments is 70 days, ending on 24 August 2024. The proposed amendments related to MRLs, cumulative effects on the environment and species at risk would come into force on the day on which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. To provide applicants and registrants with time to adjust to the CTD amendments, the proposed amendments related to CTD would come into force 180 days after the day on which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Canada Gazette, Part II publication: A New Modern Regulatory Framework for Biocides
Health Canada has introduced a new single framework, Biocides Regulations, under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) for the regulation of biocides. Biocides are products that sanitize or disinfect hard or soft non-living and non-liquid surfaces to prevent disease.
The framework will harmonize regulatory requirements for biocides and see the transfer of certain surface sanitizers regulated under the Pest Control Products Act, disinfectants that are currently regulated under the Food and Drug Regulations(FDR), and all surface sanitizers for use in food premises that fall under the purview of the FDA, to the Biocides Regulations.
Approximately 65 pest control products will be affected by these new regulations, while many others product will remain subject to the Pest Control Products Act, including:
- algaecides, slimicides, material preservatives and products for odour control;
- sanitizers and disinfectants that meet the definition of a drug, but that are for use in air or water. This includes pool and spa disinfectants, and air treatments;
- material preservatives and antimicrobial treated articles. This includes antimicrobial or bacteriostatic coatings; and
- Uses against plant pathogens. This includes greenhouse and agriculture antimicrobial agents.
The Biocides Regulations come into force 31 May 2025 (in other words, one year after the regulations were registered). Additional information pertaining to these new regulations can be found at this website.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Pest Management Information Service at pesticides-info@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Planned post-market review publications for FY 2024-2025 from REV2024-01
PRVD = Proposed Re-evaluation Decision document, PSRD = Proposed Special Review Decision document, RVD = Re-evaluation Decision document, SRD = Special Review Decision document
May 2024
- Sodium Chloride RVD
June 2024
- Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 and K1026 RVD
- Octenol RVD
August 2024
- Fosetyl aluminum SRD
- Flufenacet RVD
- Silicon dioxide cluster RVD
September 2024
- 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one PRVD
- Tebuconazole RVD
October 2024
- Iodocarb PSRD
- Carbon dioxide cluster PRVD
- Cumulative Health Risk Assessment: Organophosphates (project plan)
November 2024
- Pydiflumetofen PSRD
December 2024
- Streptomyces lydicus strain WYEC108 PRVD
January 2025
- Fatty Acid cluster PRVD
- Cellulose PRVD
- Dicamba PSRD
February 2025
- Potassium bicarbonate PRVD
- Famoxadone PRVD
March 2025
- Nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol PRVD
- Chlorothalonil SRD
- German Cockroach Extract PRVD
- Sulphur PRVD
Planned re-evaluation initiations for FY 2024-2025 from REV2024-01
April 2024
- Beauveria bassiana Strain HF23
- Ethofumesate
- 2-Phenylphenol and Salts cluster
- Clonostachys rosea strain J1446
- Imazapyr
- Oxirane Derivatives - 50% Minimum
- Pyrazon
- Industrial uses of Sodium Chlorite and Sodium Chlorite cluster
May 2024
- 2,4-D cluster
- Bacillus thuringiensis cluster
- Bromoxynil
- Chlorantraniliprole
- Dodine
- MCPA cluster
- Sulfentrazone
- Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl Phosphonium Sulphate
June 2024
- Pendimethalin
- Spirotetramat
July 2024
- 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one
- Streptomycin
August 2024
- Chlorthal (present as Dimethyl Ester)
- Dicamba cluster
- Mandipropamid
- Mineral Oil
- Propylene Glycol
September 2024
- Cloransulam-Methyl
- Phosphonic Acid cluster
October 2024
- Triazole cumulative risk assessment
November 2024
- Cyprosulfamide
- Metaldehyde
- Ozone
- Thiencarbazone-Methyl
January 2025
- Glutaraldehyde
- Maleic Hydrazide
- Picloram cluster
February 2025
- Metarhizium brunneum Strain F52
- Naphthalene Acetic Acid
March 2025
- Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride Cluster (ADBAC)
- Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride Cluster (DDAC)
- Coniothyrium minitans Strain CON/M/91-08
- Flumioxazin
Consult the 5-year workplan (REV2024-01) for a list of upcoming re-evaluation initiations for FY 2025/2026.
Information on ongoing special reviews
The following table presents a summary of the currently open special reviews at the PMRA. Please note that the information in this table is subject to change as information is reviewed. For more information on how special reviews are conducted, see the following guidance document, Approach to Special Reviews of Pesticides.
Although special reviews are usually targeted to aspects of concern so that not all registrants may be subject to the review, all registrants of the active in question are encouraged to monitor the reviews for changes and participate in consultation as these reviews could be used in future applications.
| Active ingredient | Application number | Pest Control Products Act referenceFootnote 1 | Aspect(s) of concern | Assessments conducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atrazine (plus related active triazines) | 2017-1079 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Methyl Bromide | 2018-1207 | 17(2) |
|
Human Health
|
| Chlorothalonil | 2018-1645 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Fosetyl-aluminum | 2022-1396 | 17(1) |
|
Environment
|
| Glufosinate-ammonium | 2018-5173 | 17(2) |
|
Human Health
|
| Dicamba | 2019-6324 | 17(1) |
|
Environment
|
| Desmedipham | 2022-1082 | 17(2) |
|
Human Health
|
| MCPA cluster | 2022-0889 2022-0890 2022-0891 2022-0892 |
17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Chlorpropham | 2022-1493 | 17(2) |
|
Human Health
|
| Propiconazole | 2022-3213 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| 3-Iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate | 2022-6248 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Ethofumesate | 2022-6293 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Pydiflumetofen | 2023-1713 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Hydantoins | 2024-0779 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Novaluron | 2024-1092 | 17(1) |
|
Human Health
|
| Thiacloprid | 2022-1773 | 17(2) |
|
|
|
||||
Pesticide product changes: Amendments and cancellations
Note: The label changes presented are provided as a brief summary for your information and may not cover all required changes. Consult the current product label for specific restrictions, precautions and directions for use.
Naled
- Cancelled uses from product labels - Label changes in effect as of 12 January 2024
- Beans (dry or field), lima beans, peas (processing), alfalfa, clover, vetch, potato, sugar beets
- Rangeland, field areas, and pastures (aerial application for grasshopper treatment)
- All greenhouse uses (roses and ornamentals grown for cut flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers)
- All structural uses including indoor uses (in and around dairy barns, livestock barns, pig pens, poultry houses, cider mills, and wineries), and
- Woodland
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 12 January 2024
- Prohibition of use of ultra-low volume sprayer and handheld mistblower/fogger
- Prohibition of aerial application for tomato
- Closed mixing and loading and closed cab tractors for certain uses
- Increased PPE for mixers, loaders or applicators
- Limits on the amount of naled handled per day
- Updated buffer zones
- Environmental precautions statements regarding toxicity, runoff, not to be used for aquatic pests, minimum spray volume of 10 L and removal of No. 2 fuel oil as a diluent for aerial application.
Kresoxim-methyl
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 31 January 2024
- Increased PPE for handheld airblast/mistblower
- Reduced number of applications and seasonal max rates
- New precautionary environmental statements
- Prohibit use to control aquatic pests
Triticonazole
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 25 February 2024
- Updated or increased PPE
- Updated REI and tank mix statements for turf
- Reduced maximum label rate for turf
- Closed cab tractor for planting treated seed
- Environmental precautionary statements for foliar and seed treatment uses
- Updated buffer zones
Florasulam
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 7 April 2024
- Updated PPE, REI and drift reduction statements
- Updated environmental precaution statements
- Label statement on the potential toxic effects to non-target terrestrial and aquatic vascular plants
- Updated spray buffer zones
- Precaution statements warning of the potential for leaching and groundwater contamination
Isoxaflutole
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 7 April 2024
- Updated REI and drift reduction statements
- Label statement on the potential toxic effects to aquatic organisms and terrestrial plants
- Updated spray buffer zones
- Precaution statements warning of the potential for leaching and runoff
Difenoconazole
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 7 April 2024
- Corn, canola, rapeseed, mustard seed treatment
- Closed transfer systems for commercial treatment
- Cereal seed treatment
- Chemical-resistant coveralls for cleaners for commercial treatment
- Closed cab planters
- Coveralls when loading seed for planting
- Precautionary statements to inform users of the potential hazard to beneficial arthropods, non-target terrestrial plants and aquatic organisms.
- Updated spray buffer zones
- Statement to inform users of the potential hazard to birds and small wild mammals where spilled or exposed treated seed must be incorporated into the soil or removed.
Trinexapac-ethyl
- Label amendments for accepted uses - Label changes in effect as of 18 August 2024
- Closed mixing/loading and closed cab tractor when handling more than 70 kg active ingredient per day
- Updated REIs, PPE and drift statements
- Prohibition of use in residential areas other than golf courses
- Updated buffer zone