Pesticide assessments in Canada: Value

Purpose of a value assessment

The purpose of a value assessment is to study the benefits (or value) of using a pesticide. We check if a pesticide works well to manage a pest without harming the crops and sites where it is used. Value assessments make pest control more effective by:

• identifying pesticides that manage pests well
• setting directions on pesticide labels and describing how it can be used safely
• determining the pesticide use rates that are effective without being excessive (not using more than is needed to manage the pest)

To evaluate the value of a pesticide, we use different sources of information, including:

• experimental data from research trials
• reports about the pesticide's use and performance in other countries
• scientific rationales (reasoning based on scientific principles)
• published literature
• benefits information (economic, social, health or environmental benefits)

How well a pesticide manages a pest

PMRA scientists study how well a pesticide works to manage a pest (efficacy). This includes how much, how long and how reliably a pesticide controls the pest.

Effects on crops and sites

This assessment checks whether a pesticide can effectively control a pest without harming the crops and sites where it's used. This includes crops that are grown on the same site in following seasons or years (known as rotational crops).

Health, safety, and environmental benefits

The value assessment checks how a pesticide can help people in Canada. A pesticide can be beneficial when the target pest could have harmful effects to health, safety and the environment. For example, a pesticide can help control a pest that impacts public health (like a mosquito or tick) or an invasive species that is competing with native species (like zebra mussels).

This assessment is different than the human health and environmental risk assessments. Those assessments check for negative effects from pesticide exposure. Value assessments study the benefits of a pesticide for the health and safety of people and the environment.

Social and economic impacts

The social and economic impact assessment examines the effect a pest problem has on the value and quality of crops. It also evaluates the economic impact of choosing to use or not use a pesticide. For example, if choosing not to use a pesticide could negatively affect growers in Canada.

For more information on value assessments, visit Guidance Document: Value Assessment of Pest Control Products.