The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health of Canada, announced on 19th Jan. that 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.
Pesticides are registered in Canada only after a rigorous scientific evaluation determines no harm to human health, future generations or the environment will result from exposure or use. Conditional registrations have been granted on occasion when the scientific review determines that the risks of a pesticide are acceptable but that additional confirmatory information is required. Unlike full registrations, conditional registrations do not undergo a public consultation until the registration is amended, renewed or converted to a full registration.
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. “The Government of Canada is committed to making regulatory decisions that are open and transparent, which is why we have decided to discontinue the use of conditional registrations.” Jane Philpott Said.
A Notice of Intent has been posted on Health Canada’s website and is open for comment for 60 days until March 19, 2016. The final decision will be published following the consultation once all comments have been considered.
