Changes to the registration of methyl bromide pesticides

All pesticides used in Canada must be registered under the Pest Control Products Act. Pesticides are re-evaluated to ensure that they continue to meet health and environmental requirements. Re-evaluation may result in the revocation of a product or product uses. Health Canada may also request changes to a product's label, including risk mitigation measures, use sites and application methods.

Methyl bromide is a fumigant used for general space fumigation of structures, enclosed space fumigation, treatment of stored food/feed and non-food/non-feed commodities and as a pre-plant soil fumigant for ornamental and forest nurseries and tomatoes. Highlights of the re-evaluation regarding the active ingredient methyl bromide, published on June 19, 2025, are summarized below.

Cancelled product

Pre-plant use is cancelled, and the product's registration expires on the date of the re-evaluation decision. Therefore, it is prohibited to sell or use it as of June 19, 2025.

Changes to the label of methyl bromide, as of June 19, 2027

Risk reduction measures

• Clarification of instructions for monitoring temperature and concentrations during treatment
• Update to required personal protective equipment (PPE), including:
  • New respiratory protection requirements based on real-time air monitoring results on the maximum entry times specified for the fumigation site
• Mandatory annual training for all employees present during use in facilities or agricultural establishments
• Reduction of methyl bromide exposure limit to 1.0 ppm
• Development of a fumigation management plan required prior to each application
• New directives for determining required mandatory buffer zones around treated commodities or structures during fumigation and aeration to protect the public
• New requirements for air monitoring and the distribution of fumigation information for all sites that are difficult to evacuate, located within a radius of approximately 16 metres around the perimeter of treatment and aeration buffer zones:
  • Schools, daycare centres, residential and long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospitals, hospital-based clinics, and detention centres
• Updated statements regarding signage within the perimeter of treatment zones and buffer zones
• Prohibition on use in residential structures or public food service facilities, such as:
  • Homes, garages, schools, restaurants, hotels, motels, public buildings, or other structures open to the general public
• Restriction of use for pest control purposes to quarantine treatment and pre-shipment treatment in accordance with ODSHAR^{Footnote *}
• Clarification of descriptions of critical or emergency use, including scenarios permitted under ODSHAR^{Footnote *}

Read and follow the label

All pesticides registered in Canada have a Health Canada-approved label with a registration number. Read the pesticide label carefully, as it contains specific information on how to use it.

To find the most up-to-date label, use the Health Canada online label search tool, or search for "Health Canada pesticide labels" using your favourite search engine.

Users must follow the instructions on the updated labels.

Using a pesticide contrary to the label directions is a violation of the Pest Control Products Act.