On 10th Mar 2015, Brazil ANVISA invited public consultations on the amendment in official Pesticide Monograph of 6 active ingredients: the clethodim (herbicide), fenpropathrin (insecticide), fluxapyroxad(fungicide), lufenuron(insecticide), profenofos(insecticide) and pyraclostrobin(fungicide).The inclusion of new applicable crop on all 6 active ingredients and the MRL elevation of fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin on certain crops were proposed this time.    

  The Brazil ANVISA has hosted a two-day’s panel discussion with several pesticide registration involved authorities on the paraquat occupational exposure, mutagenicity, Parkinsonism and toxicological aspects relevant to the registration prohibition, which should be considered during its further reassessment.

New pesticides guidance has been finalised that harmonises the way terrestrial field dissipation studies (TFDs) are conducted in different regions of the world. The guidance was developed for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by a working group led by EFSA, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada.     

It has been more than 2 years since Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) applied on 1st September 2013. In 2016, legal deadlines of several articles are approaching, including the notification of 'in situ generated' biocidal active substances, treated article and Union Authorization.

The US EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) have released jointly developed Residue Chemistry Data Evaluation Record (DER) templates that replace the 2001 templates. 

  The first BPR Enforcement Group (BEG) meeting will be held on 15 March 2016 which will focus on the enforcement of Article 95(2) for biocidal products and Article 94(2) for treated articles. With Several deadlines coming close, the enforcement of BPR is moving to a key period, which means that the companies of Biocidal Products and Treated Articles should pay close attention to the enforcement of BPR.

China’s No.1 Central Document focuses on agriculture has been issued at the end of last month. Among the document, government’s attitude towards GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) industry has turned around which has arouse heat discussions.It can be found that GMO word has been proposed for 8 times in No.1 Central Document since 2007, among which “GMO” has been proposed for 7 times and GMO similar concept has been proposed for 1 time. Being an important policy document from the China central government, this indicates the Chinese government’s attitude towards GMO. 

Health Canada intends to stop granting new conditional registrations of pesticides since June 1, 2016. This is an important step in improving the openness and transparency of Canada’s pesticide regulatory system.Moving away from conditional registrations will provide reassurance that all pesticide registration decisions are made with the same high level of scientific and public scrutiny. 

In the past 3 months, it is said that Monsanto is also interested in acquising Syngenta, but ChemChina and Syngenta have finally reached the acquisition agreement in which the Board of Directors of Syngenta AG (“Syngenta” “Company”) unanimously recommends ChemChina's offer to purchase 100% of Syngenta’s equity. 

The 18th pesticide registration committee conference has been held on Dec. 15th of 2015 in Beijing. The conference reviewed pesticide products that applied for registration. The conference has been discussed the following topics: Review opinions on pesticides that applied for pesticide registration. Toxic reviewing principle on relief of residual test of low toxic seed treatment products. Registration advice on 2,4-D butylate product. Registration advice on aluminium phosphide products. Registration advice on dicofol products.