Canada ends atrazine review

The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has concluded its review of the herbicide, atrazine. No comments received on the PMRA's 2007 proposed decision to continue registration have altered those findings. The herbicide remains eligible for registration, subject to certain data requirements and risk mitigation measures.

 

As the effects of atrazine on amphibians are inconclusive, the PMRA has called for more data on reproductive and developmental effects. It also wants more information on the effects of atrazine transformation products on freshwater invertebrates and fish. Surface water monitoring data are required for "high-risk sites", such as areas of significant maize production near salmon habitats on the east coast of Canada. These data are required as a condition of continued registration in the Atlantic provinces.

 

The PMRA acknowledges the action taken by the primary registrant, Syngenta, to reduce contamination of atrazine with chlorinated benzenes. There has been a 20-fold reduction from the 2.5 ppm level previously recorded to around 0.1 ppm. Chlorinated benzenes have been identified as Track 1 substances in the government's Toxic Substance Management Policy (TSMP). The measures taken by Syngenta mark a "significant step towards the TSMP goal of virtual elimination of Track 1 substances", the Agency notes.