Animal Husbandry

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) identifies the Animal Husbandry sector to include livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs, and poultry), beekeeping, and companion animals. This sector is dynamic and constantly evolving to deal with new production and rearing technologies, new pests, and the development of pest resistance. Part of this development is the frequent review and update of this sector's pest management toolbox (i.e. available pest control products and practices).

About a hundred products using some 15 active ingredients are registered for domestic pets for the control of insects and mites. As of the autumn of 2008, the livestock industry has access to 21 active ingredients which translates into over 130 registered products. The PMRA shares the responsibility for the registration of some products with the Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada.

There is no single representative for this use sector. PMRA works with stakeholder groups such as the Canadian Honey Council, the Canadian Chicken Farmer association, the Fur Institute of Canada, and the Canadian Cattleman's Association.

To benefit the animal husbandry sector, Health Canada has dedicated staff that facilitates interactions among animal holders, provincial and private specialists, pesticide distributors, researchers, scientists, registrants and regulators to work towards reducing risks in pesticide use. The goal is to help pesticide users to better understand the regulatory system and best meet their pest control needs.

This work provides stakeholders with:

• an understanding of pest control product issues from the user perspective
• assistance in understanding the processes and requirements of the regulatory system
• facilitated interactions between users and registrants of pesticides to address pest control issues
• monitoring of regulatory decisions to identify and follow issues affecting the industry to facilitate resolutions in their early stages
• assistance in identifying potential alternatives and reduced-risk pesticides inside and outside of Canada

The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency welcomes your questions or comments. Should you require further information please contact the Pest Management Information Service. If emailing, please specify "Animal Husbandry Sectors" in the subject line. If calling, please request to speak with the Animal Husbandry Facilitator.

Related Information

• Pesticide Registration Process