Syngenta's Matador 120EC insecticide available for horticulture and pulse growers across Canada

Syngenta Canada announced that it will release a limited amount of Matador^® 120EC insecticide and Voliam Xpress^® insecticide in Western Canada with a focus on horticulture and pulse crops in time for the 2023 growing season. The products will also be available in Eastern Canada with a focus on horticulture crops.

This distribution decision is in response to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) re-evaluation of lambda-cyhalothrin, the active ingredient in Matador 120EC and Voliam Xpress. Effective April 29, 2023, crops treated with lambda-cyhalothrin cannot be fed to or grazed by livestock in Canada, including any harvested grain, seed screenings, hay/forage/silage, by-products, or aftermath.

″We want to ensure we are supporting as many growers as possible during the upcoming growing season in protecting their crops from forecasted pest pressure while being compliant with the label’s feed restrictions,″ says Duane Johnson, Head of Sales, Syngenta Canada. ″Based on available market statistics and discussions with industry associations, the majority of horticulture and pulse crops are used for human consumption.″

″It’s important to note that screenings of pulse crops that were treated with lambda-cyhalothrin cannot be used as feed. We have been sure to communicate the label restrictions and will continue to do so,″ says Anna Shulkin, Head of Crop Protection Regulatory and Stewardship, Syngenta Canada.

Growers should review the current label restrictions and are encouraged to consult with commodity associations prior to using lambda-cyhalothrin-based products. Growers can find the current labels for Matador 120EC insecticide and Voliam Xpress insecticide at Syngenta.ca/products.

″We understand how important this technology is to growers,″ says Shulkin. ″Our September 2021 submission requesting reinstatement of as many of the livestock grain feed uses as possible is still under review by PMRA. We will continue to support this submission until completed.″