Canada completes the re-evaluation of quizalofop-p-ethyl

Date:02-27-2024

Re-evaluation decision for quizalofop-p-ethyl and associated end-use products

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, all registered pesticides must be re-evaluated by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to ensure that they meet current health and environmental standards and have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports and other regulatory agencies, as well as comments received during public consultations. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods as well as current risk management approaches and policies. More details, on the legislative framework, risk assessment and risk management approach, are provided under the Evaluation Approach section of this document.

Quizalofop-p-ethyl is a selective systemic, grass-controlling herbicide registered for postemergent control of annual and perennial grass weeds in a variety of crops such as major field crops, cucurbit vegetables, horticultural crops, forage crops for seed production and many minor specialty crops including industrial hemp grown for fibre, seed and oil. It is applied using ground or aerial equipment. Quizalofop-p-ethyl has value in providing effective control of perennial grass weeds and it is the only herbicide registered for use on hemp and Ethiopian mustard. Currently registered products containing quizalofop-p-ethyl can be found in the Pesticide Product Information Database and in Appendix I.

The Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2022-17, Quizalofop-p-ethyl and Its Associated End-use Products containing the evaluation of quizalofop-p-ethyl and proposed decision, underwent a 90 day consultation period ending on 27 October 2022. PRVD2022-17 proposed that products containing quizalofop-p-ethyl are acceptable for continued registration in Canada, provided that the proposed risk mitigation measures are in place. The proposed risk mitigation measures included updates to personal protective equipment for mixers, loaders and applicators, standard restricted-entry intervals, re-treatment and preharvest intervals (PHIs), a best practice label statement to minimize the potential for spray drift, and precautionary environmental statements and spray buffer zones for the protection of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Four comments were received from the public indicating that pesticides, in general, harm human health and or the environment. No comments specific to the assessments and proposed risk mitigation measures presented in PRVD2022-17 were received. Therefore, this decision is consistent with the proposed re-evaluation decision stated in PRVD2022-17, which lists all information used as the basis for the re-evaluation decision.

A reference list of information used as the basis for the proposed re-evaluation decision is included in PRVD2022-17; no further information was used in the final re-evaluation decision. Therefore, the complete reference list of all information used in this final re-evaluation decision is set out in PRVD2022-17.

This document (Re-evaluation decision RVD2024-03, Quizalofop-p-ethyl and its associated end-use products) presents the final re-evaluation decision for the re-evaluation of quizalofop-p-ethyl, including the required amendments (risk mitigation measures) to protect human health and the environment, as well as label amendments required to bring labels to current standards. All products containing quizalofop-p-ethyl that are registered in Canada are subject to this re-evaluation decision.

Re-evaluation decision for quizalofop-p-ethyl

Health Canada has completed the re-evaluation of quizalofop-p-ethyl. Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada has determined that continued registration of products containing quizalofop-p-ethyl is acceptable. An evaluation of available scientific information found that the uses of quizalofop-p-ethyl products meet current standards for protection of human health and the environment and have acceptable value when used according to revised conditions of registration which includes new mitigation measures. Label amendments, as summarized below, are required.

Appendix I Registered products containing Quizalofop-p-ethyl in Canada