PMRA Notice of Intent: Strengthening the regulation of pest control products in Canada

In the summer of 2023, Health Canada proposed four areas of regulatory amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations. This included:

• increased public access to confidential test data;

• increased transparency for maximum residue limit (MRL) applications for imported food products;

• explicit authority for the Minister of Health to require the submission of cumulative environmental effects where information and methodology are available; and

• strengthened consideration of species at risk in risk assessments by giving the Minister the explicit authority to require the submission of available information on species at risk.

In response, this submission emphasizes that Canada’s science-based, regulatory framework for pesticides is among the best in the world and already addresses several of the transformation objectives proposed by Health Canada through its operation. SaskCrops remains supportive of a fully transparent process and notes that it is important that any transformative processes do not draw scarce PMRA resources away from core PMRA work making crop protection tools available to farmers.

Click here to read the Sask Crop Commissions full written submission.

The Saskatchewan Crop Commissions (SaskCrops), consisting of SaskBarley, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Sask Wheat, represent the vast majority of grain and oilseed growers in Saskatchewan. The commissions were established to invest farmer dollars in varietal development, agronomic research, and market development. The common goal of these organizations is to ensure that Saskatchewan farmers remain competitive and profitable. We support and advocate for science-based policy to create and maintain an efficient, predictable business environment for Saskatchewan growers.

Click here to read the Canadian Canola Growers Association’s full written submission.

SaskCanola is a member of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). The CCGA administers the cash advance program and focuses on policy development and advocacy initiatives. Three SaskCanola directors are appointed to the CCGA Board of Directors.

If you have a question or comment about the policy work that SaskCanola does on behalf of farmers, we encourage you to contact the office at (306) 975-0262 or email at info@saskcanola.com.