OTTAWA – Through May 20, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) invites stakeholders and the public to submit written comments on how the agency can transform its work to:
- Strengthen human health and environmental protection by modernizing the pesticide review process;
- Improve transparency and stakeholder accessibility to information to bolster meaningful participation in decision making; and
- Increase the use of real-world data and independent advice in the decision-making process to better inform decisions to protect human and environmental health.
PMRA administers the Pest Control Products Act on behalf of the Minister of Health. The targeted review of the act aims to advance the agency’s science-based approach to pesticide regulation while providing strong, evidence-based protection of human health and the environment.
“However, we also know that Canadians expect further transparency in regulatory decisions, with more efficient and effective review processes and increased use of real-world and independent data,” stated Health Canada in a news release.
The consultation period on the targeted review opened March 21. Stakeholders can submit comments online to Discussion Document DIS2022-01: Further Strengthening Protection of Health and the Environment: Targeted Review of the Pest Control Products Act.
In addition to inviting public comments, PMRA will hold consultation sessions with provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, academia, Indigenous communities, consumer groups, user groups and manufacturers.
"We know that reducing pesticide risks will protect human health as well as the environment that surrounds us,” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health. “That is why we are modernizing pesticide review processes and improving the accessibility of information for Canadians. By opening the discussion to the public, we will be able to help shape a healthier, cleaner and greener future for everyone.”
Added the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change: "We are committed to ensuring that pesticides used in Canada are safe for human health and the environment. Our decisions on pesticides will benefit from more real-world and independent data. We will be able to make better linkages, identify areas with a higher risk potential sooner, and see where further investigation may be needed. These improvements will strengthen environmental protection in Canada."
The author is a frequent contributor to PCT.