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Canada reviews more pesticides
Apr. 30, 2008
The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has proposed the phase-out of certain uses of the organophosphate insecticide, trichlorfon. It has also called for risk mitigation measures for the herbicide, diquat dibromide, and the molluscicide, metaldehyde, as part of its continuing re-evaluation of older pesticides. The PMRA recently came under criticism for “unsatisfactory” progress in the review programme.
The Agency identified concerns over health and environmental risks from trichlorfon in a preliminary assessment last year. It has since decided to phase out residential use, aerial applications and use on outdoor ornamentals. The restricted-entry intervals (REIs) required to reduce risks to workers dealing with outdoor ornamentals would be too great to be practical, the PMRA notes. This use will end unless additional data to refine the occupational exposure assessment are submitted. The buffer zones required for aerial application would also be impractical. Aerial use will be phased out unless further data are submitted to refine the assessment or to mitigate risks.
Other registrant-supported uses of trichlorfon will be allowed to continue provided that certain risk mitigation measures are adopted. They include REIs to protect workers and buffer zones to protect aquatic habitats.
Diquat dibromide is used as a herbicide and desiccant on food crops, and also on non-crop areas and as an aquatic herbicide. All uses can continue provided that risk reduction measures are taken. They include REIs to protect workers, buffer zones to protect sensitive terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and a minimum two-week re-application interval for aquatic treatments.
Metaldehyde is used as an agricultural and residential treatment against slugs and snails. The PMRA requires a number of measures to be taken to address risks to humans, domestic animals and the environment. They include prohibitions on: broadcast and foliar applications; application to turf and the ornamental plant, Dichondra spp; and use within 30 cm of food/feed crops on which use is not allowed. The PMRA also calls for restrictions on the number of treatments for certain crops, REIs to protect workers, and enhanced protection of children, domestic animals and wildlife. Metaldehyde products must be formulated with a bittering agent to deter ingestion and must have a stipulated pellet size.
Source: Health Canada
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