ADAMA Canada moves forward with lambda-cyhalothrin sales for 2023

ADAMA Canada has made its final decision regarding the sale of lambda-cyhalothrin products for the 2023 growing season, deciding to re-label and sell its Silencer and Zivata insecticides across Canada.

The company says it has come to the decision after several months of consulting with retailers, farmers and industry organizations on the implications of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) ruling to change the permitted uses of the insecticide.

In April 2021, the PMRA announced a label change that eliminated the approval of lambda-cy application on crops or crop by-products that end up as feed. The new label comes into effect for 2023.

While ADAMA is going ahead with sales, Syngenta Canada had decided to not sell Matador in Western Canada, but will continue to offer its lambda-cy product in Eastern Canada.

″We will continue to sell our lambda-cy products, Silencer and Zivata, with the new labelling across Canada,″ says Cornie Thiessen, general manager of ADAMA Canada. ″After a great deal of discussion and consideration, we have confidence in our retail partners to provide good advice to growers and we trust growers themselves to use the product responsibly and within permitted guidelines.″

Lambda-cy insecticides are approved for use on several crops, including canola, and for control of several insect species.

″Our lambda-cy products are valued because they’re effective,″ Thiessen adds. ″The bottom line for growers is to read the labeling guidelines carefully. Talk to your full-service input retailer and to your crop buyers so you can make an informed decision about if and when to apply the product.″

The Western Grain Elevator Association, which represents the companies that handle the vast majority of Western Canadian grain, issued a letter regarding the lambda-cy label change last week, raising serious concerns about the logistics of segregating grain, how the changes would be enforced, and potential trade issues.

In Ontario, grower groups have warned against the use of lambda-cy products on grain crops, regardless of product offerings, given the uncertainty of ensuring a crop does not end up as feed.