No Trade Concerns with Use of New Pesticides Available in 2023

The Market Access Committee has released information about new pesticides in corn and soy that are to be launched for the 2023 crop season. The committee stated that is has no trade concerns with the use of five new corn pesticides and two new soy pesticides.

The Maximum Residues Limits (MRLs) of crop protection products were evaluated by the Committee against MRLs in key export markets. Product use information (e.g., use rates, timing of application(s), Canada relevant crop residue data, projected sales data, etc.) was considered as part of the MRL assessment and risk management.

Based on the product information provided, the Committee concluded that the risk of any MRL-related trade disruption was acceptable and no advisories to limit the use of the products were necessary.

For corn, five products slated for market launch in 2023 were assessed. The active ingredient for each product and the resulting Pest Control Product (PCP) number(s) assigned by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) are provided in Table 1. For soybeans, three products for 2023 were assessed.

The Joint Market Access Committee (the “Committee”) for corn and soybeans was established by Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada on behalf of the Canadian corn and soybean sectors, respectively. The purpose of the Committee is to maintain market access for Canadian growers by ensuring pesticide residue levels will be acceptable in international markets for Canadian grain products.

The Joint Market Access Committee allows for the value chain -- which includes the crop protection registrants, producer organizations, ag-retailers, grain originators and exporters -- to evaluate the residue profile of new pesticides and discuss potential trade implications prior to products being launch.