Canada approves Pelargonic Technical acid and Beloukha Herbicide

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), pursuant to subsection 8(1) of the Pest Control Products Act, is granting registration for the sale and use of Pelargonic Acid Technical and Beloukha Herbicide containing the active ingredient pelargonic acid, belonging to Belchim Crop Protection Canada Inc., to control or suppress weeds in greenhouse-grown cucumber, tomato, pepper and lettuce, in greenhouse-grown ornamentals (bedding plants, flowering and non-flowering plants) and around outdoor woody and herbaceous ornamentals, including container-, field-, and liner-grown plants, plants in landscape plantings, landscape trees, nursery trees, shrubs, Christmas trees, and forest and commercial trees.

Pelargonic acid is a non-selective, contact fatty acid herbicide that causes cellular membrane disruption in green plant tissue. This leads to cell collapse, followed by tissue dehydration and necrosis.

Beloukha Herbicide is a non-conventional herbicide that will serve as an alternative weed management product option for use around these crops. This product can be expected to reduce the risk of resistance development to conventional herbicides based on its non-selective contact mode of action that results in desiccation of plant tissue.

The Proposed Registration Decision PRD2025-02, Pelargonic acid and Beloukha Herbicide, containing the detailed evaluation of the information submitted in support of this registration, underwent a 45-day consultation period ending on 17 April 2025. The evaluation found that, under the approved conditions of use, the health and environmental risks and the value of the pest control product(s) are acceptable. Health Canada received written comments relating to the assessments during the public consultation period conducted in accordance with section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act.