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Re-evaluation Note REV2012-09, Label Amendments for Soil Fumigants Products Containing Chloropicrin

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
14 September 2012
ISSN: 1925-0649 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-5/2012-09E-PDF (PDF version)

Summary

Background

Chloropicrin is under re-evaluation by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), and is one of the active ingredients included in the soil fumigant cluster.

Chloropicrin is a non-selective pre-plant soil fumigant and antimicrobial used to control pathogens including insects, nematodes, fungi and weeds. In Canada, chloropicrin is currently registered for use as a soil fumigant on terrestrial food/feed and non-food/non-feed crops, forests/woodlots and ornamentals. End-use products formulated as liquids or solutions are applied and incorporated into soil as a broadcast or row treatment using chisels. The soil is sealed using a tarp, roller or press sealer, and is aerated prior to planting. Chloropicrin is also used as a wood preservative to treat structural timber (such as poles). The end-use product is a pressurized liquid which is injected into pre-drilled holes and sealed with treated wood plugs. All currently registered uses are being considered in the re-evaluation.

The regulatory approach and proposed label improvements for chloropicrin were first presented in Re-evaluation Note REV2010-10, Soil Fumigants Proposed Mitigation Measures and REV2010-12, Chloropicrin - Proposed Mitigation Measures, published on 13 August 2010. Please refer to Re-evaluation Note REV2012-08, Chloropicrin, Dazomet, Metam Sodium and Metam Potassium-Label Improvements for Soil Fumigantsfor a summary of the comments received during the consultation, and the PMRA's response to these comments.This Re-evaluation Note describes this stage of PMRA's regulatory process for the re-evaluation of the soil fumigant cluster and outlines label improvements required for soil fumigant products containing chloropicrin. The regulatory process for the re-evaluation of antimicrobial products containing chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium or metam potassium is communicated separately in Re-evaluation Note REV2012-07, Chloropicrin, Dazomet, Metam Sodium and Metam Potassium Label Improvements for Antimicrobial Products.

Regulatory Strategy

The PMRA's re-evaluation of chloropicrin is ongoing. At this time, the PMRA is requiring registrants of products containing chloropicrin to implement label improvements to further limit user exposure and further protect bystanders and the environment. These label improvements are considered a first step in the re-evaluation of the Canadian uses of the products containing chloropicrin.

A key component of the label improvements for soil fumigant products containing chloropicrin is the requirement of a Fumigation Management Plan (FMP) for all applications. A Fumigation Management Plan is an organized, written description of the required steps involved to help ensure a safe and effective fumigation. It will also assist in complying with pesticide products label requirements. Instructions for the preparation of a Fumigation Management Plan are required to be part of the product label. In addition, a Fumigation Management Plan template will be developed by the PMRA in consultation with registrants in order to help users meet the Fumigation Management Plan requirements. Specific label improvements are also required for all soil fumigant products containing chloropicrin.

Appendix I of Re-evaluation Note REV2012-09, Label Amendments for Soil Fumigants Products Containing Chloropicrin outlines the required label amendments for products containing chloropicrin.

Additional Information

Any person may file a notice of objection regarding this decision for chloropicrin within 60 days from the date of publication of this Re-evaluation Note. For more information regarding the basis for objecting (which must be based on scientific grounds), please refer to the Pesticides and Pest Management portion of Health Canada's website (Request a Reconsideration of Decision) at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/part/protect-proteger/publi-regist/index-eng.php#rrd or contact the PMRA's Pest Management Information Service.

PMRA documents can be found on the Pesticides and Pest Management portion of Health Canada's website. PMRA documents are also available through the Pest Management Information Service.