Pest Management Advisory Council - 2020 Meeting Summary Report
On February 4, 2020 members of the Pest Management Advisory Council joined the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for the annual meeting of the Council.
The meeting was held in Ottawa at the Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney’s Pasture.
The Council’s recommendations will be provided by the Chair to the Minister of Health.
Opening remarks and review of the agenda
The Executive Director of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), Peter Brander, opened the meeting by welcoming the Chair and members. He emphasized that the advice of the Council is of great value in the development of approaches to issues brought forward.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Darren Fisher welcomed the Chair and members, thanking members for their valuable contributions to the work of PMAC on behalf of Minister Hajdu.
The Chair of the Council, Mr. Tom Beaver, also welcomed members and participants to the meeting. Mr. Beaver proceeded with an overview of the agenda.
Update on re-evaluation and special review work plan
Mr. Frédéric Bissonnette, A/Director General, Value Assessment and Re-evaluation Management Directorate provided an overview of the current status of PMRA’s post-market work plan.
PMAC members were supportive of the PMRA’s approach to prioritization while program renewal is underway and recognized that PMRA is not adequately resourced at present to manage the present and future backlog.
Overview: Towards an integrated approach to pesticide evaluation
Mr. Lars Juergensen, Associate Director, Program Renewal, presented the outcome of the fulsome review of the pesticide Re-evaluation Program. Some options were proposed for the Council’s consideration.
PMAC members were supportive of the progress the PMRA has made over the last year in reviewing the Re-evaluation program, characterizing current challenges and identifying design principles of a proposed integrated approach.
Integrated approaches and improved post-market review process
Mr. Adam Colley, Program Renewal team, presented proposals of integration of the pre-market and re-evaluation programs, highlighting a continuous approach to identifying and managing pesticide risks, and identifying mechanisms to improve the information base for regulatory decision-making.
PMAC members were supportive of the proposed integrated approach and recognized that the PMRA is not adequately resourced at present to transition and deliver on the proposed integrated approach.
Regulatory review roadmap initiatives
Mr. Jordan Hancey, Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Division presented two projects identified under the Agri-food and Aquaculture Roadmap: Modernizing the authorization process for certain pest control products for which registration is not required; and, Label modernization for pest control products.
PMAC members were supportive of the two initiatives.
Statutory review of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA)
Mr. Lars Juergensen, Associate Director, Program Renewal, presented the elements of the parliamentary review process of the PCPA, which can be initiated after June 29, 2020. PMRA has conducted an internal analysis of the legislation, consulting with key external stakeholders for indications of potential issues, with broader public consultation planned at a later date.
PMAC members indicated that while they are supportive of the initiatives identified under the Agri-food and Aquaculture Roadmap, the PCPA remains fit for purpose.
Updates on initiatives for pesticide use information and environmental monitoring
Mr. Frédéric Bissonnette, A/Director General, Value Assessment and Re-evaluation Management Directorate presented the change in approach to obtaining use information.
Ms. Heather Simmons, Director, Environmental Assessment Directorate presented updates on water monitoring for pesticides.
PMAC members were very supportive of the progress made on both these initiatives.
Participant list
Chair
Tom Beaver, Management Consultant and Advisor
Council Members/ Alternates
Barb McKinnon, New Brunswick Lung Association
Frank Annau, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Rebecca Lee, Canadian Horticulture Council
Karsten Liber, University of Saskatchewan
Kathleen Cooper, Canadian Environmental Law Association
Paleah Black, Ecotox Consulting Services
Alan Schlachter, CropLife Canada (alternate)
Shannon Coombs, Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association
Toni Grewal, Health and Safety Officer, British Columbia Teachers’ Federation
Krystal Penner, Sustainable Development Manitoba and Past Provincial Co-chair of the FPT
Committee on Pest Management and Pesticides
Regrets
Pierre Petelle, CropLife Canada
Executive Secretariat
Peter Brander, Executive Director, Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)
PMRA Secretariat
Holly Campbell, Stakeholder Relations, Policy and Operations Directorate (POD)
Natalie Lamarche, Stakeholder Relations, Policy and Operations Directorate (POD)
PMRA Representatives
Frédéric Bissonnette, A/Director General, Value Assessment and Re-evaluation Management
Directorate (VRD)
Lars Juergensen, Associate Director, Program Renewal Team
Adam Colley, Program Renewal Team
Jordan Hancey, Director Regulatory Affairs and Applied Analysis, Policy and Operations
Directorate (POD)
Heather Simmons, Director Product Assessment, Environmental Assessment Directorate (EAD)
Ellen Birnbaum, Senior Policy Advisor to the Executive Director of the PMRA
Stephanie Girard, Program Renewal Team
Margherita Conti, Chief Registrar and Director General Registration Directorate (RD)
Mireille Prud’homme, Section Head, Stakeholder Relations, Policy and Operations Directorate
(POD)
Jason Flint, Director General, Policy and Operations Directorate (POD)
Minister’s Office
Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary, Minister’s Office, Health Canada
Travis Gordon, Senior Policy Advisor, Minister’s Office, Health Canada
Closing remarks
In closing, Mr. Tom Beaver and Mr. Peter Brander thanked members for their input and advice to Health Canada. Members were asked to refrain from communicating with individuals outside of PMAC about the content and outcomes of the meeting until advised by PMRA.
The next meeting will be scheduled for spring 2021 in Ottawa, with the date to be determined.
Proposed topics for next meeting
- Issues related to the use of structural pesticides and potential risks for Canadians, particularly marginalized communities.
In camera session
2020 Recommendations to the Minister of Health
The Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) recognizes that the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has initiated a fulsome review of the Post-Market program to determine ways to ensure a more dynamic and sustainable program.
PMAC is supportive of the direction of the new integrated approach, noting that additional funding will be necessary on an ongoing basis.
PMAC recommends that the Government:
- Provide PMRA with pressure funding to complete the 15 remaining legacy chemicals as a priority, with proposed decisions completed by the end of 2020
- Proceed with increased funding and the implementation of a new integrated approach to address the current challenges with the re-evaluation program that includes: improved water monitoring and use information; improved transparency and engagement; international collaboration; and, continuous evaluation
- Increase funding commensurate with the workload during the transition period, to manage the backlog while incorporating elements of the integrated approach, where appropriate, on an ongoing basis
Finally, PMAC believes that the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) provides a strong legislative basis for Canada’s pesticide regulatory system and should be retained, with only minor amendments as outlined in the Agri-food and Aquaculture Roadmap.