June 5, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-662-48970-2 (978-0-662-48971-9)
Cat. No.: H113-24/2008-22E (H113-24/2008-22E-PDF)
(PMRL2008-22)

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Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), under the authority of the  Pest Control Products Act, has concluded that the addition of a new use to the label of Orthene 75% Soluble Powder Systemic Insecticide, containing technical grade acephate, for the control of aphids on Saskatoon berries is acceptable. The specific use that was approved in Canada is detailed on the Orthene 75% Soluble Powder Systemic Insecticide label (Pest Control Products Act Registration Number 14225).

The evaluation of this acephate application indicated that the end-use product has merit and value and that the human health and environmental risks associated with the new use are acceptable. Details regarding the registration can be found in the corresponding Evaluation Report that is available on the PMRA website, under Public Registry, Product Information, Current Applications¹.

Before registering a pesticide for food use in Canada, the PMRA must determine the quantity of residues that are likely to remain in or on the food when the pesticide is used according to label directions and that such residues will not pose an unacceptable health risk. This quantity is then legally established as a maximum residue limit (MRL). An MRL applies to the identified raw agricultural food commodity as well as to any processed food product that contains it, except where separate MRLs are specified for the raw agricultural commodity and a processed product made from it.

Currently, MRLs are legally established under the Food and Drug Regulations after consultation through the Canada Gazette. Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act via  Bill C-28, anticipated to come into force in 2008, will allow pesticide MRLs to be established legally under the Pest Control Products Act without having to adopt MRLs by regulation under the Food and Drugs Act. This will result in a more efficient means of establishing, revising and revoking pesticide MRLs.

Consultation on the proposed MRL for acephate is being conducted via this document (see Next Steps). This action is being taken in advance of Bill C-28 coming into force to allow the MRL to be established legally as soon as possible after the Food and Drugs Act is amended.

The proposed MRL for acephate in Canada in or on food, to be added to those already legally established, is as follows.

Table 1 Proposed Maximum Residue Limits for Acephate

Common Chemical Name	Chemical Name of Substance	MRL (ppm)	Food Commodity
Acephate	O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate	0.03	Saskatoon berries (juneberries)

* Both terms are captured to reflect fruits from Amelanchier species.

A complete list of all MRLs established in Canada can be found in  Table II, Division 15 of the Food and Drug Regulations. Once the amendments to the Food and Drugs Act via Bill C-28 are in force, the list of legally established Canadian MRLs will be available on the PMRA's MRL webpage, which will be updated to include the MRL listed in this document.

International Situation and Trade Implications

Currently, there is no United States tolerance (listed in  40 CFR Part 180 by pesticide) or Codex MRL² ( Codex MRLs searchable by pesticide or commodity) established for acephate in or on Saskatoon berries.

Next Steps

The PMRA invites the public to submit written comments on the proposed MRL for acephate up to 75 days from the date of publication of this document. Please forward your comments to Publications (see contact information on the cover page of this document). The PMRA will consider all comments received before making a final decision on the proposed MRL for acephate and posting an Established Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) document on the PMRA's website once the amendments to the Food and Drugs Act are in force.

¹ The relevant report can be accessed by selecting the Programs and Special Actions/Minor Use/Historical tab and opening the Evaluation Report found under Application Number 2006-3420.

² Codex is an international organization under the auspices of the United Nations that develops international food standards, including MRLs.