Gowan’s Phosmet determined acceptable in Canada with additional risk mitigation measures

Gowan announces that on October 30, 2020, Health Canada announced its plan to approve continued registration of the active ingredient Phosmet and associated products for use on agricultural crops in Canada. Under the authority of Canada’s Pest Control Products Act, all registered pesticides must be re-evaluated by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to ensure that they continue to meet current health and environmental standards and continue to have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports and other regulatory agencies, in addition to comments received during public consultations. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods as well as current risk management approaches and policies and makes science-based decisions.

Specifically, the risk assessment states “Health Canada has determined that continued registration of products containing Phosmet is acceptable with additional risk mitigation measures. An evaluation of available scientific information found that some uses (fruit trees, berries, carrots, celery, potatoes and outdoor ornamentals not grown for cut flowers) of Phosmet products meet current standards for the protection of human health and the environment”.

Gowan is the data owner and basic manufacturer and distributor of Phosmet globally. Gowan has supported Phosmet registrations throughout the world by generating scientific data and providing those data regulatory authorities to confirm Phosmet’s continued safe use in agriculture.  Phosmet is a broad-spectrum insecticide that has been safely used by growers around the world for decades. Phosmet provides outstanding control of key insects in specialty crops like tree fruit and nuts, citrus, canola/oilseed rape, berries and potatoes.

Gowan announces, that based on Health Canada’s recent risk assessment, Phosmet will continue to be available to Canadian growers.

More information about the details of the ruling available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/decisions-updates/reevaluation-decision/2020/phosmet.html