Pesticide assessments in Canada: Risk management

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Developing risk management measures

Before a pesticide is approved in Canada, we set rules for how it should be used. These rules are called risk management measures. The goal of these measures is to lower pesticide risk to people and the environment. PMRA scientists and risk managers use value and risk assessments to develop risk management measures.

If risk management measures can't protect human health and the environment, we will not approve a pesticide in Canada.

Risk management measures can change as more information becomes available. We often use many risk management measures, rather than just one measure.

Risk management measures can include:

We develop risk management measures for each pesticide to make sure that it can effectively manage pests and protect human health and the environment.

Monitoring and evaluation

After a pesticide is approved, we continue to monitor and evaluate it to make sure it's used responsibly.

Our monitoring and evaluation activities include:

Routine inspections and enforcement of compliance

Inspectors and scientists at Health Canada are responsible for the national compliance and enforcement program. We regularly monitor pesticide users to make sure they use pesticides according to the labels. Provincial and territorial agencies, other federal government departments, and pesticide companies all monitor pesticide use.

Health Canada Pesticide Compliance Program

PMRA Incident Reporting Program

Companies and people in Canada can report any incidents related to pesticides. These reports help us identify risks to people's health and the environment so we can take action. We evaluate serious effects right away and apply management measures.

Report a Pesticide Incident

Pesticide sales reporting

We track pesticide sales through a mandatory program for pesticide companies. Data from the program helps us estimate pesticide use. The program also gives us information to make sure a pesticide still meets the requirements for protecting human health and the environment.

Mandatory Pesticides Sales Reporting

Food residue monitoring

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tests food in Canada to check pesticide residue levels. They put out a report on chemical residue monitoring and food safety every year. At Health Canada, we investigate any food with pesticide residue levels above the legal limit and take action to keep people safe.

National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program and Chemistry Food Safety Oversight Report

Health surveys

Statistics Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, leads the national Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). The CHMS collects health measures for people in Canada. PMRA scientists use the CHMS to refine risk assessments.

Canadian Health Measures Survey

Re-evaluation and special reviews

We re-evaluate pesticides every 15 years to make sure they still meet current standards and requirements to protect health and the environment. If there is new information about an approved pesticide that has reasonable grounds for concern about human health or the environment, then we evaluate it through a special review.

Re-evaluation Program

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