June 5, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-662-48972-6 (978-0-662-48973-3)
Cat. No.: H113-24/2008-23E (H113-24/2008-23E-PDF)
(PMRL2008-23)

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

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 Mertect SC Fungicide, containing technical grade thiabendazole, for the control of Phoma rot on chicory root intended for Belgian endive production is acceptable. The specific use that was approved in Canada is detailed on the Mertect SC Fungicide label (Pest Control Products Act Registration Number 13975).

The evaluation of this thiabendazole 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 legally established 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 thiabendazole 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 legally established as soon as possible after the Food and Drugs Act is amended.

The proposed MRL for thiabendazole in Canada in or on food, to be added to those currently established, is as follows.

Table 1 Proposed Maximum Residue Limits for Thiabendazole

Common Chemical Name	Chemical Name of Substance	MRL (ppm)	Food Commodity
Thiabendazole	2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole	0.05	Belgian endives

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

The proposed Canadian MRL is the same as the corresponding Codex MRL² established for thiabendazole on "Witloof chicory (sprouts)" ( Codex MRLs searchable by pesticide or commodity). The United States has not established a tolerance for thiabendazole on Belgian endives (tolerances listed in  40 CFR Part 180 by pesticide).

Next Steps

The PMRA invites the public to submit written comments on the proposed MRL for thiabendazole 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 thiabendazole 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 2007-2494.

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