Canada grants continued registration of acaricide clofentezine

The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is proposing continued registration for the sale and use of acaricide clofentezine, according to risk-reduction measures to protect human health and the environment. The agency has opened the public comments until Feb 1, 2014.

The measures cover: a two-day restricted entry interval (REI) for hand thinning in apples, pears, peaches and nectarines and a 12-hour REI for other activities; a ten-day REI for hand pruning, training and tying of raspberries and a 12-hour REI for other activities; and 12-hour REI for strawberries and outdoor deciduous nursery stock.

 “A 21-day preharvest interval (PHI) is required to be added to label directions for use on apples, to support the current MRL of 0.5 ppm in/on apples.” the agency notes.

“To ensure no clofentezine residue uptake by secondary crops, a minimum rotational crop plant back interval (PBI) of 12 months must be observed for all crops other than those registered for use with clofentezine.”

“To reduce the exposure of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, additional advisory statements to protect non-target species and the use of spray buffer zones (1-5 metres) to protect aquatic life are required.”