Canada approves Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, Milestone NXT Herbicide, Restore NXT Herbicide, GF-3206 Herbicide, GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide, and ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, is granting registration for the sale and use of Rinskor Active, Milestone NXT Herbicide, Restore NXT Herbicide, GF-3206 Herbicide, GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide and ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide, containing the technical grade active ingredient florpyrauxifen-benzyl, for weed management in hazelnut and non-agricultural/industrial vegetation management including many invasive species, as well as for aquatic vegetation management to control invasive plants both in and around water.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a new selective herbicide belonging to the arylpicolinate class of herbicides. It acts as a synthetic plant hormone by mimicking the natural plant hormone auxin and disrupting growth processes in susceptible plants. Excessive auxin causes alterations in cell wall elasticity resulting in leaf curling and interference with nutrient transport.

The end-use products Milestone NXT Herbicide and Restore NXT Herbicide are coformulations of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and aminopyralid present as potassium salt. Aminopyralid is a registered herbicide active ingredient. The potassium salt represents a new salt form of aminopyralid.

The Proposed Registration Decision PRD2022-17, Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, Milestone NXT Herbicide, Restore NXT Herbicide, GF-3206 Herbicide, GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide, and ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide, containing the detailed evaluation of the information submitted in support of this registration, underwent a 45-day consultation period ending on 30 January 2023. The evaluation found that, under the approved conditions of use, the health and environmental risks and the value of the pest control products are acceptable. Health Canada received comments relating to the chemistry, health and environmental assessments during the public consultation period conducted in accordance with section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act.

What is the value of GF-3206 Herbicide, Milestone NXT Herbicide, Restore NXT Herbicide, GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide and ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide?

GF-3206 Herbicide is formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate containing 19.91 g/L florpyrauxifen (present as benzyl ester). It provides selective control of many annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and invasive plants and shrubs in rangeland, permanent pasture, rights-of-way, industrial and other non-crop areas. GF-3206 Herbicide can also be used in hazelnut production for weed management.

Milestone NXT Herbicide is formulated as a wettable granule containing 4.77% florpyrauxifen (present as benzyl ester) and 60% aminopyralid (present as potassium salt). It provides selective control of many annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and invasive plants and shrubs in rangeland, permanent pasture, rights-of-way, industrial and other non-crop areas.

Restore NXT Herbicide is formulated as a soluble concentrate and also contains both florpyrauxifen (6.36 g/L, present as benzyl ester) and aminopyralid (80 g/L, present as potassium salt). Restore NXT Herbicide also provides selective control of many annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and invasive plants and shrubs in rangeland, permanent pasture, rights-of-way, industrial and other non-crop areas.

GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide is formulated as a soluble concentrate containing 238.4 g/L florpyrauxifen (present as benzyl ester). It is intended as a selective herbicide for the management of invasive freshwater aquatic vegetation in still or slow-moving waters of ponds, lakes, reservoirs, streams, rivers, and canals (including shoreline and riparian areas in or adjacent to these waterbodies).

ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide is also formulated as a soluble concentrate containing 238.4 g/L florpyrauxifen (present as benzyl ester) and shares an identical use pattern to GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide.

Terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants are a global phenomenon that have received more attention in Canada in the last decade. Registrations of GF-3206 Herbicide, Milestone NXT Herbicide and Restore NXT Herbicide provide users with options to control a wide range of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and invasive plants and shrubs in rangeland, permanent pasture, rights-of-way, industrial and other non-crop areas. GF-3301 Aquatic Herbicide and ProcellaCOR FX Herbicide will provide provincial authorities and partners with a valuable tool and long-term solution to manage invasive aquatic species in and around aquatic sites.