Health Canada Stops Issuing Conditional Registrations for Pesticides
"Our government is following through on a commitment made in January 2016 to stop issuing new conditional registrations for pesticides. Moving forward, Canadians can be reassured that all pesticide registration decisions will be made with a consistent and high level of scientific and public scrutiny," said Minister of Health Jane Philpott.
Effective June 1, 2016, Health Canada has stopped granting new conditional registrations for pesticides. The Canadian government's announcement of the move calls it "an important step to improve the openness and transparency of Canada's pesticide regulatory system, by providing the public with an opportunity to be consulted on all major pesticide registration decisions."
It explains that pesticides are registered in Canada only after a rigorous scientific evaluation shows no harm to human health or the environment will result from exposure or use. Conditional registrations have in the past been granted on occasion when the scientific review determined that the risks of a pesticide were acceptable but additional supporting information was required.
The June 1 policy change addresses a recommendation from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development in a fall 2015 report. The final policy is available on the Health Canada website and includes an analysis of comments received during the public consultation.
"Our government is following through on a commitment made in January 2016 to stop issuing new conditional registrations for pesticides. Moving forward, Canadians can be reassured that all pesticide registration decisions will be made with a consistent and high level of scientific and public scrutiny," said Minister of Health Jane Philpott.