Re-evaluation Note: Rotenone

29 January 2008
ISBN: 978-0-662-47693-1 (978-0-662-47694-8)
Cat. No.: H113-5/2008-1E (H113-5/2008-1E-PDF)
(REV2008-01)

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The purpose of this Re-evaluation Note is to notify registrants, pesticide regulatory officials and the Canadian public that Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has reviewed information pertaining to the active ingredient rotenone and its associated use as a fish toxicant (piscicide). This has resulted in label improvements to further protect human health and the environment. This Re-evaluation Note also serves as notification that the registration of all non-piscicidal end-use products will be discontinued. The phase-out schedule is outlined in this document. This completes the re-evaluation of rotenone.

1.0 Background

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is re-evaluating all pesticides, both active ingredients and formulated end-use products, that were registered prior to 31 December 1994 to ensure that their continued acceptability is examined using current scientific approaches. Regulatory Directive DIR2001-03, PMRA Re-evaluation Program, presents the details of the re-evaluation activities and program structure. The PMRA announced the re-evaluation of rotenone in March 2006.

Rotenone is registered in Canada for uses on Livestock for Food, Livestock Non-Food, Terrestrial Food Crops, Structural, Companion Animals, Outdoor Ornamentals and Residential Indoor Plants and Plantscapes as well as aquatic non-food (fish toxicant) uses. The fish toxicant products are classified as restricted and require a permit from, and consultation with, Provincial and Federal Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) in March 2007 indicating that U.S. registrants had requested voluntary cancellation of all livestock, residential and homeowner uses, domestic pet uses, and all other uses except for piscicidal uses. Therefore, the restricted piscicidal uses for rotenone were the only uses assessed in the USEPA RED.

2.0 Re-evaluation of Rotenone

The mitigation measures identified in the USEPA RED document were used as a basis for label improvements for the aquatic non-food uses of rotenone in Canada. Both environmental and health mitigation measures were added to the two currently registered piscicidal rotenone products and those label changes are now complete. A list of these products are presented in Appendix I.

3.0 Regulatory Decision

The PMRA has determined that rotenone is acceptable for continued registration for use in restricted class piscicidal products, with the addition of mitigation measures to further protect human health and the environment. The required label amendments have been made to the registered piscicidal rotenone products and are available online under the PMRA's Electronic Labels: Search and Evaluation (ELSE) Search tool.

The remaining uses of rotenone were not supported by registrants. In order to achieve an orderly phase-out of the non-piscicidal products containing rotenone, the PMRA is requiring that all domestic and commercial class rotenone products will have the following phase-out dates:

• Last date of sale by registrants: 31 December 2008
• Last date of permitted use: 31 December 2012

4.0 Products to be Phased Out

Appendix II lists all rotenone products that are to be phased out, and where these products can be used until the expiry date. This document informs stakeholders of the change of registration status for these products.

5.0 Residue Limits of Discontinued Products

There are currently no specific maximum residue limits (MRLs) for rotenone in Canada. Where no specific MRL is established for a pest control product under the Food and Drug Regulations, subsection B.15.002(1) applies. This requires that residues do not exceed 0.1 ppm, which is considered a general MRL for enforcement purposes. However, changes to this general MRL may be implemented in the future, as indicated in Discussion Document DIS2006-01, Revocation of the 0.1 ppm General Maximum Residue Limit for Food Pesticide Residues [Regulation B.15.002(1)]. If and when the general MRL is revoked, a transition strategy will be established to allow permanent MRLs to be promulgated.

Appendix I

Piscicidal Rotenone Products Acceptable for Continued Registration

Product Name	Registration Number	Marketing Type	Use-site Category/Uses
Prentox Technical Rotenone	19189	Technical Active
Prentox Nusyn-noxfish Fish Toxicant	19985	Restricted	Aquatic Non-food Sites: lakes, ponds and streams (immediately above lakes and ponds or reservoirs)
Prentox Noxfish Fish Toxicant	14558	Restricted

Appendix II

Non-piscicidal Rotenone Products that will be Phased out

Product Name	Registration Number	Marketing Type	Use-site Category/Uses
King Bug Killer Dust	3555	Domestic	Terrestrial Food Crops: raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, strawberries, cucumbers, squash, asparagus, potatoes, radishes, broccoli, sweet corn, peas, tomatoes, melons and similar crops, cabbage, cauliflower and similar crops, beans, beets, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, onions, spinach, Swiss chard, celery, peppers, pumpkins Outdoor Ornamentals: all flowering plants and ornamental plants
King Bug Killer Rotenone Dust	27817	Domestic
Deritox Garden Guard Dust Insecticide	1686	Domestic
Scotts Ecosense Garden Insect Dust	15899	Domestic
Scotts Ecosense Garden Insecticide Dust II	28473	Domestic
Later's Origins Rotenone Garden Dust	4103	Domestic
Green Earth Rotenone Insect Spray Wettable Powder	21349	Domestic
Green Earth Rotenone Insect Dust	21350	Domestic
CO-OP Garden Insect Dust	5140	Domestic
CO-OP Louse Powder Insecticide	5663	Commercial	Livestock for Food: sheep, goats, cattle, horses, hogs, poultry Livestock Non-Food: foxes, mink, sheep, goats Companion Animals: horses, pigs, chinchillas, dogs and cats
DRI-KIL Dust	10043	Commercial	Livestock for Food: sheep, goats, cattle, horses, hogs, poultry Livestock Non-Food: foxes, mink, sheep, goats Structural: bedding, cracks and crevices of woodwork, premises of pet bedding and sleeping areas Companion Animals: horses, pigs, chinchillas, dogs and cats
Safer's Rotenone Garden Dust	21422	Domestic	Terrestrial Food Crops: raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, strawberries, cucumbers, squash, asparagus, potatoes, radishes, broccoli, sweet corn, peas, tomatoes, melons and similar crops, cabbage, cauliflower and similar crops, beans, beets, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, onions, spinach, Swiss chard, celery, peppers, pumpkins Outdoor Ornamentals: all flowering plants and ornamental plants Residential Indoor Plants and Plantscapes: ornamental plants
Later's Rotenone Flea Powder	23766	Domestic	Structural: bedding, cracks and crevices of woodwork, premises of pet bedding and sleeping areas Companion Animals: horses, pigs, chinchillas, dogs and cats