Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2024-04, Foramsulfuron and its associated end-use products

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
28 March 2024
ISSN: 1925-0967 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-27/2024-4E-PDF (PDF version)

Summary

Table of contents

• Proposed re-evaluation decision for foramsulfuron and associated end-use products
• Proposed re-evaluation decision for foramsulfuron
• Risk mitigation measures
• Next steps
• Other information
• Additional scientific information

Proposed re-evaluation decision for foramsulfuron 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 continue to meet current health and environmental standards and continue to have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports and other regulatory agencies. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods as well as current risk management approaches and policies.

Foramsulfuron is a selective sulfonylurea herbicide used to control post-emergence broadleaf weeds in field corn (Eastern Canada and Manitoba) and lowbush blueberry (Eastern Canada only) sites. It is applied once per season by field sprayer and may be applied with tank-mix to enhance weed control efficacy. Currently registered products containing foramsulfuron can be found in the Pesticide Product Information Database and in Appendix I of the full version of Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2024-04, Foramsulfuron and Its Associated End-use Products. Appendix II of PRVD2024-04 lists all uses for which foramsulfuron is presently registered.

This document (PRVD2024-04) presents the proposed re-evaluation decision for foramsulfuron including the proposed label amendments (risk mitigation measures) to protect human health and the environment, as well as the science evaluation on which the proposed decision is based. All products containing foramsulfuron that are registered in Canada are subject to this proposed re-evaluation decision.

This proposed re-evaluation decision is a consultation document.^{Footnote 1} Health Canada will accept written comments on this proposal up to 90 days from the date of publication of this document. Please forward any comments to PMRA Publications. The final re-evaluation decision will be published after taking into consideration the comments and information received during the consultation period.

Proposed re-evaluation decision for foramsulfuron

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act and based on an evaluation of available scientific information, Health Canada is proposing continued registration of all uses of foramsulfuron and associated end-use products registered for sale and use in Canada.

With respect to human health, dietary (food and drinking water), occupational (handlers and postapplication) and non-occupational (bystander) risks were shown to be acceptable when foramsulfuron is used according to proposed conditions of registration, which include label amendments to meet current labelling standards such as updates to personal protective equipment for mixers, loaders and applicators, and standard restricted-entry intervals.

The environmental risk assessment found that risks to the environment (terrestrial and aquatic) associated with the use of foramsulfuron were shown to be acceptable when used according to proposed conditions of registration, which include precautionary statements, and spray buffer zones for the protection of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Foramsulfuron is valued as a weed management tool for field corn growers who practice conventional tillage and for lowbush blueberry production where fescue grasses infestation is an issue.

Risk mitigation measures

Registered pesticide product labels include specific directions for use. Directions include risk mitigation measures to protect human health and the environment and must be followed by law. The proposed label amendments as a result of the re-evaluation of foramsulfuron, are summarized below. Refer to Appendix IV of PRVD2024-04 for details.

Human health

As a result of the re-evaluation of foramsulfuron, Health Canada is proposing label improvements to meet current labelling standards:

• Updates to personal protective equipment (PPE) label statements as per current labeling standards.
• A standard restricted-entry interval (REI) of 12 hours to protect workers entering treated areas.

Environment

To protect the environment, the following risk mitigation measures are proposed:

• Precautionary statements to inform users of the toxicity of foramsulfuron to aquatic organisms and terrestrial plants.
• Updated spray buffer zones for the protection of non-target habitats.

Next steps

Upon publication of this proposed re-evaluation decision, the public, including the registrants and stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments during the 90-day public consultation period.

Health Canada will accept written comments on this proposal up to 90 days from the date of publication of this document. Before making a re-evaluation decision on foramsulfuron, the comments received during the consultation period will be taken into consideration in preparation of re-evaluation decision document.

A science-based approach will be applied in making a final decision on foramsulfuron. Health Canada will then publish a final re-evaluation decision document, which will include the decision,^{Footnote 2} the reasons for it, a summary of comments received on the proposed re-evaluation decision, and Health Canada's response to these comments.

Refer to Appendix I of PRVD2024-04 for details on specific products impacted by this proposed decision.

Other information

The relevant confidential test data on which the proposed decision is based are available for public inspection, upon application, in PMRA's Reading Room. For more information, please contact the Pest Management Information Service.

Additional scientific information

Additional scientific data are not required at this time.