Changes to the registration of phosmet 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.

Phosmet is an organophosphate insecticide used to control insect pests on a wide variety of agricultural crops and ornamental plants. The key elements of the re-evaluation decision for the active ingredient phosmet, published on October 30, 2020, are summarized below.

Label changes for phosmet pesticide, as of October 30, 2022

Cancelled uses

• Stop use on alfalfa
• Stop use on grapes
• Stop use in residential areas
• Stop application using handheld mister/fogger equipment

End of use delayed to October 30, 2024, against the Japanese beetle

on outdoor ornamentals grown for cut flowers:

Interim risk mitigation measures

• Limit to one application per season
• Maximum spray volume of 300 L/ha
• Interim restricted-entry intervals (REI) ranging from 12 hours to 6 days post application

Other risk reduction measures

• Addition to the required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Changes to application methods
• Restrictions on quantities of product handled per day
• Reduced application schedule
• Revised restricted-entry intervals (REI) and pre-harvest intervals (PHI)
• Added statements to reduce human exposure to spray residues and spray drift
• Strict schedule of application and addition of hazard statements relating to the protection of bees
• Addition of hazard statements relating to the protection of aquatic organisms, birds, small wild mammals and other non-target arthropods

Phosmet pesticides registered in Canada (as of January 1, 2023)

Users must follow the instructions on the updated labels.

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

Read 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 our online label search tool or search for "Health Canada pesticide labels" using your favourite search engine.