ARCHIVED - Memorandum of Understanding Between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to record agreement on principles and the intent to establish mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and advice, and promote strong working relationships between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) with respect to pest control products, food safety, sustainable pest management and related activities.

This MOU extends to areas of cooperation concerning the scientific and regulatory matters and activities identified in the Annex to this MOU. Other areas of cooperation have been or may be addressed in separate MOUs or agreements.

Background

• The PMM was established within Health Canada on April 1, 1995. The mandate of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency is to protect human health and the environment by minimizing the risks associated with pest control products, while enabling access to pest management tools, namely, these products and sustainable pest management strategies.
• The CFIA began operations on April 1, 1997. The mandate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of federal inspection and related services for food and animal and plant health.
• There is already within the Government of Canada a significant level of collaboration and coordination in the area of food safety and sustainable development in pest management research and technology transfer. Given the complementary mandates of the CFIA and the PMRA this MOU will help to further enhance this collaborative approach.

Principles

This MOU is based on the following principles:

• The PMRA is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), including all aspects of health and environmental assessment and regulatory decisions, and policy issues respecting pest control products. The PMRA is responsible for the setting of maximum residue limits (MRLs) under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) for pesticides to protect the safety of the food supply.
• CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the following acts: Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act (except in relation to the violations under the Pest Control Products Act and Regulations), Canada Agricultural Products Act, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, Feeds Act, Fertilizers Act, Fish Inspection Act, Health of Animals Act, Meat Inspection Act, Plant Breeders' Rights Act, Plant Protection Act, and Seeds Act. In addition, the CFIA is responsible for enforcement of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Food and Drugs Act as they relate to food, and the administration of the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act as they relate to food, except for those provisions that relate to public health, safety or nutrition.

Objectives

The objective of this MOU is to foster strong working relationships and facilitate exchange of information and advice that will enhance the effectiveness of programs and services delivered by PMRA and CFIA by:

• recognizing and acknowledging that goals of food safety, sustainability and risk reduction are shared by all. Therefore we will cooperate on matters of mutual interest, both nationally and internationally, and opportunities arising to advance food safety, sustainable pest management and reduce risks related to use of pesticides.

Implementation

• PMRA and CFIA will give to each other the opportunity to provide guidance, information and advice concerning the development and implementation of policies and programs that may affect the mandate of the other.
• Specific areas of cooperation between PMRA and CFIA are listed in the Annex to this MOU and will be the subject of agreements.

Accountability

• Accountability for the success of this MOU will rest with the Executive Director of the PMRA and Vice President, Programs, of the CFIA, who will meet annually during the normal planning process.
• The primary points of contact under this MOU, who shall be responsible for its administration, are the Director of Alternative Strategies and Regulatory Affairs Division, PMRA and the Executive Director, Plant Products Directorate, CFIA.

Terms of MOU

• This MOU will come into effect on the date of the last signature and can be amended at any party's request and reviewed annually by the agreement of both parties.
• Participation in this MOU can be terminated by mutual consent or by one party giving three months written notice.

March 29, 2000

Annex

Areas of Cooperation

Health Dietary Risk Assessments

The intent of this agreement is to define the type of information that will be provided by PMRA on issues related to risk assessments underlying the setting of MRLs. It will outline a process for the analysis of sampling results, interpretation of data in reports, and provision of reports to PMRA on a regular basis for use in programs such as re-evaluation. PMRA contact: Ariff Ally, Head, Food Residue Exposure Assessment Section, Health Evaluation Division ( HED) CFIA contact: Eli Neidert, Laboratories Directorate

MRL Regulations

The intent of this agreement is to ensure that CFIA is informed of new MRLs and changes to existing MRLs at appropriate times during the MRL promulgation process. This agreement will also formalize a process for resolving the interpretation of the MRL regulations and resolving issues resulting from the promulgation of MRLs. PMRA contact: Geraldine Graham, Senior Project Manager, Alternative Strategies and Regulatory Affairs Division ( ASRAD) CFIA contact: Eli Neidert, Laboratories Directorate

Fertilizers

The deliberations for this agreement will include resolution of the issues surrounding the regulatory domain into which the following activities fall: products containing fertilizers in combination with pest control products; the food residue exposure assessment for new chemicals for use in, or as fertilizers or supplements; and nitrification inhibitors. PMRA contact: Frank Wandelmaier, Senior Project Manager, ASRAD CFIA contact: Darlene Blair, Amational Manager, Fertilizer Section, Plant Health & Production Division

Invertebrate Biological Pest Control Agents ( IBPCAs)

The intent of this agreement is to define the areas of work with respect to the importation and registration of IBPCAs. PMRA contact: Director, ASRAD CFIA contact: Greg Stubbings, Plant Health & Production Division

Plants with Novel Traits

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and interaction of the two Agencies with respect to plants with novel traits with novel pesticidal properties or novel tolerances to pesticides. PMRA contact: John Smith, Senior Project Manager, ASRAD CFIA contact: Grant Watson, Plant Health & Production Division

Feeds

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and interaction of the two Agencies related to pesticide residues contained in feed products. PMRA contact: Ariff Ally, Head, Food Residue Exposure Assessment Section, HED CFIA contact: Catherine Italiano, Feeds Section, Animal Products Directorate

Laboratory Services

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and interaction of the two Agencies with respect to the sharing of methodology and cooperation in the area of pesticide analysis. PMRA contact: Julie Filion, AJChief, Laboratory Services, Compliance, Laboratory Services and Regional Operations Division ( CLSROD) CFIA contact: Eli Neidert, Laboratories Directorate

Sampling Programs

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and interaction of the two Agencies as it relates to the sharing of crop sampling work plans and cooperation in the resolution of significant residue issues. It will also outline the sharing of information related to sampling work plans and the analysis of single and blended (composited) commodities. PMRA contact: Jim Reid, Chief, Compliance and Regional Operations Subdivision, CLSROD CFIA contact: Eli Neidert, Laboratories Directorate

Pest Control Products for Quarantine Purposes

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and sharing of information with regard to quarantine measures for exotic pests and the use of pest control products for controlling these pests. PMRA contact: Frank Wandelmaier, Senior Project Manager, ASRAD CFIA contact: George White, Laboratories Directorate

Communications

The intent of this agreement is to define the types of information sharing related to communication strategies and products between the two Agencies. PMRA contact: Joan Butcher, Strategic Information Management Officer, ASRAD CFIA contact: Mike McDermott, Communications Bureau Manager

International Coordination

The intent of this agreement is to define the roles of the two Agencies with respect to trade issues and participation in international fora. PMRA contact: Bill Murray, Senior Project Manager, ASRAD CFIA contact: Harry Gardiner, International Affairs Directorate

Importation of Pesticides

The intent of this agreement is to define the activities and interaction of the two Agencies with respect to the importation of pesticides. PMRA contact: Daniel Chaput, Director, CLSROD CFIA Contact: John Jones

Other Issues

( e.g., including Legislation and Regulatory initiatives) PMRA contact: Director, ASRAD CFIA contact: Peter Brackenridge