Consultation on Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 and Its Associated End-use Products, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2023-04

Health Canada is consulting Canadians on the proposal to continue registration of the product containing Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 for sale and use in Canada, with proposed label updates.

Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 is a naturally occurring soil-dwelling, gram-negative, short-rod aerobic bacterium used as a bactericide to control crown gall disease on seeds and nursery stock of stone fruit, pome fruit, berries, tree nuts, ornamental flowers, shrubs and trees as well as grapes and hops.

There is one Commercial Class end-use product containing Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 registered in Canada. The product is formulated as a live organism in damp powder and is mixed with water then applied to seeds, seedlings and cuttings at planting as a dip treatment only. Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 is of value to commercial nursery growers as it is the only pesticide registered to prevent crown gall disease in plants. The potential risks to human health and the environment are considered to be acceptable when the product containing Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 is used according to current label directions.

Proposed label changes include amending the existing personal protective equipment statement and adding a precaution statement for children and animals.

For more information on the product containing Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84, please consult Appendix I in the Proposed Re-evaluation Decision or visit the Pesticide Label Search database.

For more information on the proposed decision open the "Proposed Re-evaluation Decision".

How to get involved

This consultation is open for comment from 28 August 2023 to 26 November 2023 (90 calendar days).

To comment on PRVD2023-04:

• Step 1 Request the full consultation document to read the Science Evaluation that is the basis of this proposed regulatory decision.
• Step 2 Submit comments to the PMRA Publications Section.

All comments received will be considered. A final re-evaluation decision will consider additional scientific information provided during the public comment period.

Please refer to the document title Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2023-04, Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 and Its Associated End-use Products when providing comments.

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. Once the decision is finalized, the PMRA will post a Re-evaluation Decision on the Pesticides and Pest Management Reports and Publications portion of Canada.ca.

If you have any questions, contact the Pest Management Information Service.

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