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Memorandum of Understanding between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) (represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) and Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (represented by the Minister of Health) and Treasury Board Secretariat (represented by the President of Treasury Board) pertaining to three initiatives to"
1.1 This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertains to three initiatives that are to
2.1 As expressed by witnesses who have appeared before the federal Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the federal Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the public and the agri-food sector have both been concerned about pesticide use in Canada. Growers. for example, have been concerned about the possible removal of existing pesticides from the market as a result of Canadian and United States agencies re-evaluations while having limited access to reduced-risk and minor-use pesticides, making it difficult for them to compete in international markets. The public has been concerned about the long term impact of pesticide use and is seeking more information on this matter.
2.2 The federal government has fully endorsed the principles set out in the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development, Making the Right Choice for the Protection of Health and the Environment, and in the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, Registration of Pesticides and the Competitiveness of Canadian Farmers. In its response to the Reports, the federal government committed to further reform the pesticide regulatory system and to renew the approach to pest management.
2.3 On May 23rd, 2002, the federal government announced funding for AAFC and Health Canada's PMRA for initiatives to reduce risks of pesticides and enhance environmental sustainability. AAFC will work with industry and the provinces to increase the availability of reduced-risk and more environmentally friendly pesticides for Canadian farmers. AAFC will have the capability to coordinate and prioritize activities on reduced-risk pesticides for agricultural use and on agricultural "minor-use" pesticides with the cooperative efforts of governments, manufacturers and growers. Activities funded include the development of crop profiles and risk reduction strategies for the agriculture and agri-food sector, and agricultural minor-use activities such as priority setting and beginning of data generation from field testing and laboratory analysis. Health Canada's PMRA will be developing and implementing strategies for reducing risks to both health and the environment and encouraging reduction in the use of pesticides. The PMRA also introduced a program to encourage pesticide manufacturers to seek registration in Canada of reduced-risk pesticide products that are already registered in the US. The program complements the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Joint Review Programs for Reduced-risk Pesticides. The PMRA is using the same criteria as the US EPA to determine eligibility for the program.
2.4 Further funding was provided for research into risk reduction alternatives, integrated pest management, and new or replacement pest control products. AAFC is also doubling the current allotment of resources within AAFC's Research Branch to the equivalent of $2 million for data generation on agricultural "minor-use" pesticides. This data generation, coupled with the new investment, will be used to develop the submissions required to register agricultural "minor-use" pesticides with PMRA. $1 million of Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) funding from AAFC was allocated in 2002 to fast track production of crop profiles and risk reduction strategies.
2.5 On June 24th, 2002, the federal government announced additional funding to give Canadian producers better access to agricultural "minor-use" pesticides, and reduced-risk pesticides for agricultural use. AAFC will continue its work to help reduce pesticide risks through research and further development of pest management systems that control pests using technologies such as crop rotation, cultivation, and biological and chemical controls. AAFC's funding is for field trials, liaison with stakeholders, to integrate data generation with US Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and prepare submissions to the PMRA. PMRA's funding will support the review of submissions for reduced-risk pesticides, including those for minor-use, in accordance with workplans that are agreed upon between AAFC and PMRA. PMRA will use their portion of these new funds to augment staff to meet the demand for reviewing the increased number of minor-use submissions and to expedite the review of reduced-risk pesticides.
2.6 The objectives of this MOU are supportive of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) and in particular support the outcome goals of the Environment chapter of that framework. The outcome goals which this MOU supports are: reduce agricultural risks and provide benefits to health and supply of water, with key priority areas being nutrients, pesticides and water conservation (24.1.1) and increase the use of beneficial pest and pesticide management practices (24.2.3.2).
2.7 The funding details are as shown for the Program entitled Developing and Implementing Commodity Specific Risk Reduction Strategies in the Treasury Board submission Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Pest Management Products (September, 2002), and in Annex A of this MOU.
3.1 This MOU sets out the general terms, roles and responsibilities for AAFC and PMRA respecting the management of the joint initiatives to:
3.2 The three initiatives jointly aim at increasing public and stakeholder confidence in pesticide regulation, protecting health and environment, and increasing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector.
3.3 The initiatives are part of the Federal Government's commitments as outlined in the Treasury Board Submission "Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Pest Management Products ". This MOU provides further detail regaiding the commitments made by AAFC and PMRA in the Treasury Board submission and its associated Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (RMAF). RMAFs describe the integrated approach by which initiatives will be measured, managed and reported throughout their life cycle. Key elements of the RMAF are contained in this MOU. An important element of the commitments made through the Treasury Board submission is that stakeholders and public will be kept informed through a transparent management system.
4.1 The initiatives fall under three activity areas and will benefit the public and stakeholders by achieving the results and outcomes as shown in Table 1 herein.
| Activity Area* | Result (Output) | Intermediate Outcome | Final Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Analyze Data | Generated data for reduced-risk and minor-use pesticide submissions for agriculture Applied research to support the introduction of minor-use pesticides that pose a reduced risk to the environment Improved basis for regulatory decisions about pesticides that integrate risk reduction strategies for commodities and current data (linking the results, as applicable, to pesticide regulation) |
A regulatory system that better protects health and environment and contributes to the competitiveness of the agri-food sector | Increased public and stakeholder confidence in pesticide regulation, protected health and environment, and increased competitiveness of the agri-food sector |
| Develop and Implement Pest Management Strategies | Developed crop profiles Developed and implemented commodity-based risk reduction strategies for the agri-food sector |
Use of safer pest management practices and products | |
| Involve, consult and Inform Public and Stakeholders | Involved, consulted and informed public and stakeholders throughout the delivery of the initiatives | Increased transparency of pesticide regulation |
* The activities that fall under each area are detailed in Section 7 (Program Delivery) of this MOU.
4.2 The results (outputs) of the initiatives and how they are expected to lead to the achievement of the expected outcomes are illustrated in the logic model in Annex B. This logic model will be the basis for the selection of performance indicators and the foundation for ongoing performance measurement, evaluation and accountability.
4.3 Performance in achieving the results and outcomes will be measured using the indicators identified in annual costed work plans. Approval of any changes to the performance measures will be sought from Deputy Ministers. As well, the whole program will be systematically evaluated at the end of Year 3 and Year 5, and reported on, as described in Sections 14 and 9 of this MOU.
5.1 The commitments made in the Treasury Board submission (2002) entitled Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Pest Management Products and associated Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (RMAF) will be respected.
5.2 The commitments made in the Government Response to the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, Registration of Pesticides and the Competitiveness of Canadian Farmers (2002) will be respected.
5.3 The commitments made in the Government Response to the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development, Pesticides: Making the Right Choice for the Protection of Health and the Environment (2001) will be respected.
5.4 The mandate of PMRA, as defined in the current and new Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), will be respected. It consists of a primary objective to prevent unacceptable risks to people and the environment from the use of pest control products.
5.5 AAFC's mandate to provide information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth will be respected.
5.6 The principles, goals and objectives of the Agricultural Policy Framework will be respected.
5.7 Stakeholders and the public will be kept informed through a transparent management system.
5.8 The funding for the new initiatives described in this MOU will be for incremental activities to achieve the specified results/outcomes, and it will not be used to replace existing work of either Party. Both Parties are responsible for adhering to this principle and for providing an annual confirmation to this effect.
6.1.1 A Deputy Ministers' (DMs) Committee will be established to oversee the management of this MOU. The Committee will be comprised of Deputy Ministers from Health Canada and AAFC. The DMs Committee will:
6.2.1 AAFC and PMRA will establish a Joint Management Committee (JMC) to manage the implementation of this MOU. Membership of this Committee will consist of the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Farm Financial Programs Branch, AAFC, the ADM of Research Branch, AAFC, and the Executive Director, PMRA, Health Canada. The Treasury Board Secretariat will participate in the Committee as an ex-officio member by providing advick and guidance, but will not be responsible for the delivery of the initiatives under this MOU. The Committee will report to their respective Deputy Ministers (DMs).
6.2.2 The AAFC/PMRA JMC will:
6.2.3 The JMC will also seek the advice of the Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) and AAFC's Stakeholder Advisory Committee on the management of all three initiatives, as appropriate.
6.3.1 AAFC and PMRA will establish a working group for each of the three initiatives described in Section 7 (Program Delivery) of this MOU:
6.3.2 Each working group will provide the AAFC/PMRA JMC with their respective:
6.3.4 The working groups will also assume any additional responsibilities as assigned by the AAFC/PMRA JMC, as needed.
6.3.5 The working groups will seek the advice of the AAFC/PMRA JMC on the management of their respective initiative, as needed; and resolve any disputes as per Section 11.
AAFC and PMRA will undertake the following three initiatives. The funding allotted to each initiative is shown in Annex A.
8.1 Each department will be responsible and accountable for the decisions made about their respective funding. Annex A shows the breakdown of all activities and associated funding. The two Parties to this MOU will ensure financial controls and prepare expenditure reports for the initiatives of this program. There will be annual costed work plans provided to the JMC (described in Section 6 of this MOU). When fund; intended for work under any of the three initiatives cannot be utilized, options will be presented to the JMC regarding potential transfers within and between years to support work commitments under this program.
9.1 AAFC and PMRA will each report on performance about the joint initiatives through the Parliamentary reporting process, using the Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and the Departmental Performance Report (DPR). The content of RPP and DPR will be drawn from the ongoing reports of results achievement as well as evaluation reports. The performance on the initiatives forms part of the plans and results achieved for:
9.2 In addition, PMRA will report to Parliament annually, as required under the new PCPA. This annual report will include, among other things, a status report on the registration of pest control products that pose lower risks, reevaluations and special reviews under the PCPA.
9.3 AAFC will use the information from any performance reports as input for the preparation of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) Report to Canadians, in consultation with the AAFC/PMRA Joint Management Committee. Prior to issuing any such reports, there will be an exchange of information between AAFC and PMRA.
9.4 The report template shown in Annex C may be used to report on the initiatives.
10.1 With respect to all communication activities, projects and products in connection with the three initiatives - except the activities of the Minor-use Advisor, who can directly and independently liaise with stakeholders- PMRA and AAFC will:
10.2 The above will not prevent either of the two organisations from engaging in communication activities to meet their respective mandates/obligations.
10.3 Both organizations will have websites that provide information regarding the initiatives, but will avoid, as much as possible, duplication of information by linking the two sites.
11.1 Dispute resolution involves early recognition of conflict, promotion of cooperation and building stronger relationship through effectively and fairly managed conflict. The Parties agree to resolve any dispute arising from implementation of this MOU through informal negotiations and development of mutually satisfactory options. Where informal negotiations by the Director General of the Adaptation and Financial Guarantee Programs, AAFC, and the Director of the Alternative Strategies and Regulatory Affairs Division, PMRA, have failed to resolve the matter to the mutual satisfaction, the Parties agree to refer the matter to the JMC (see Section 6). Where informal negotiations by the JMC have failed to resolve the matter to the mutual satisfaction, the Parties agree to refer the matter to the Deputy Ministers' Committee. In case the dispute still remains unresolved, the Secretary of the Treasury Board may be invited to intervene to resolve the dispute. As a last resort, if the dispute is still unresolved, it will be referred to Ministers (including the President of the Treasury Board) for final resolution.
12.1 This MOU will be in effect upon the date the last signature is affixed and will remain in effect until March 31, 2008, at which time it will be subject to review and renewal.
13.1 This MOU can be amended, with the written consent of the signatories, based upon mutual agreement, at any Party's request. The operation of this MOU will be reviewed annually by both parties.
14.1 The program delivery and design will be the subject of overall evaluations at the end of Year 3 and Year 5, in accordance with the existing Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (2002) and any applicable Risk-based Audit Framework and Internal Audit Plan (RBAF) that may come in the future. A RBAF will be created as required under Treasury Board Secretariat's Policy on Transfer Payments should the organizations start using the funding shown in Annex A for transfer payments. Transfer payments are transfers of money, goods, services or assets made from an appropriation to individuals, organizations or other levels of government, without the federal government directly receiving goods or services in return.
14.2 The evaluation strategy will draw on the performance data as one of the lines of evidence in an in-depth study of outcomes achievement that would include testing of the causality described in Section 4 of this MOU and examining unintended outcomes within the program and on other programs. While PMRA will coordinate the conduct of the aforementioned evaluations, the cost of these evaluations will be shared among Parties. Funds to implement the evaluations will come from the program funding.
14.3 Should an audit related specifically to the initiatives described in this MOU be performed by one of the Parties, a copy of the audited financial statements and audit report will be forwarded to all Parties by no later than nine (9) months following the year covered by the audit. All audits will be conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and with any applicable RBAF that may come in the future. The purpose and scope of the audit will be approved and shared by both Parties.
15.1 This is to certify that the terms contained in this Memorandum of Understanding are acceptable to both parties.
Minister, Agriculture and Agri-food
Minister, Health
President, Treasury Board
December 2-9, 2003
| Activity (Responsibility) | Incremental Funding, in Millions of $ | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-base | Year 1 (02-03) | Year 2 (03-04) | Year 3 (04-05) | Year 4 (05-06) | Year 5 (06-07) | Year 6 (07-08) | Year 7 (08-09) & Ongoing | ||
| Commodity-based risk reduction strategies: | |||||||||
| Jointly with PMRA, AAFC will facilitate the development and implementation of a risk reduction strategy, for each commodity, that identifies and prioritizes risks to be reduced, sets out tools and research needs | 0* | 3.3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| Jointly with AAFC, PMRA will facilitate the development and implementation of a risk reduction strategy, for each commodity, that identifies and prioritizes risks to be reduced, sets out tools and research needs | Risk Reduction strategy work: | 0.5 | 0.97 | 2.63 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
| Reduced-risk product evaluation work: | 0.73 | 1.17 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.2 | ||
| Improving access to agricultural minor-use pesticides, and reduced-risk pesticides for agricultural use: | |||||||||
| AAFC will ensure that submission data packages are developed for agricultural minor-use pesticides, and reduced-risk pesticides for agricultural use, and that they are submitted to PMRA in a timely fashion | Work with Research Branch A-Basing funding: | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Work with new funding: | 0 | 1.2 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | |
| PMRA will strengthen its capacity to review submissions to register reduced-risk pesticides, including products for minor-use, and improve its capacity to support the pesticide registration process | Pre-submission consultation: | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Evaluation work: | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0 | |||
| Harmonization work and regulatory activities (including Maximum Residue Limits promulgation): | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0 | |||
| Conducting research to support the introduction of minor-use pesticides that pose a reduced risk to the environment: | |||||||||
| PMRA will identify and obtain necessary research studies to help develop environmentally beneficial practices and introduce pesticides that pose a reduced risk to the environment | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0 | |
| AAFC will identify and obtain necessary research studies to help develop environmentally beneficial practices and introduce pesticides that pose a reduced risk to the environment | 0* | 0* | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
* Indirect support by AAFC towards integrated pest management research was estimated to be $38.6 million (65 FTEs) annually
Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation & Improving Access to Pest Management Products
A Part of the Agricultural Policy Framework's World Leadership in Environmentally Responsible Stewardship Program for Reduced Environment Risks from Agriculture
(Pest Management -Reduced Risk and Minor Use)
Logic Model
Diagram not available
Report Title: Insert herein the relevant title
| Name of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): |
| Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) Priority Area: as applicable |
| MOU Partner Profile: Provide a brief description/rationale for the linkages between AAFC and PMRA, including a link to government plans and priorities. This information would remain constant throughout the reporting period. The description of the initiative is at a high level and can be found in the front part of the MOU. |
| Roles and Responsibilities, and Governance Structure: Identify the respective roles and responsibilities of each partner or group of partners and any governance structures used to manage the initiative (this includes the identification of a lead organization, where applicable). This information would remain constant throughout the reporting period. The description of the initiative is at a high level and can be found in the front part of the MOU. AAFC is responsible for : a) Provide a brief summary herein, see Section 7 of the MOU b) c) PMRA is responsible for: a) Provide a brief summary herein, see Section 7 of the MOU b) c) Governance Structure: Provide a brief summary herein; see Section 6 of the MOU |
| Name of MOU: Repeat information front Part I above | |||||
| Initiative Name: Provide "tombstone" information. from the MOU, a short description of the initiative | |||||
| Initiative Description: Provide "tombstone" information, from the MOU; a longer description of the initiative | |||||
| Progress Report: | |||||
| End Outcome | Intermediate Outcome | Deliverable | Indicator | Progress Report (Quarterly progress report) | Total AAFC or PMRA Expenditure (Quarter) |
| Tombstone information, from the MOU | Tombstone information, from the MOU | Tombstone information, from the work plans prepared by the working groups | Indicators as agreed frm the work plans prepared by the working groups | Description of activities and progress as measured against the indicators. To be provided quarterly by respective partners | |
DRAFT
Part III: Financial Report
| ($000's) | Year to date (000's) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previous year | Budget | Forecast | Initiatives | Actual | Forecast | Variance* |
| Total | ||||||
* Variance in Expenditures and Results: Identify and explain any variance in performance or level of expenditure for programs as well as actions taken to address the variance(s). Note: further information similar to the Business Case details may be requested where program anomalies are being reviewed by the AAFC / PMRA Joint Management Committee.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | Total | |
| Budget Forecast YTD | ||||||
| Forecast Variance | ||||||
| # | Initiative | Previous Year Actual | Current Budget | Quarterly Expenditures (Quarter) | Quarterly Forecast (Quarter) | Forecast Variance (Quarter) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | ||||
1 5NR means "five natural resources" departments, i.e., AAFC, Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.