Response to comments received on PMRL consultation for Flonicamid (PMRL2021-30)

The proposed maximum residue limit (MRL) document for flonicamid (PMRL2021-30) was published using the term 'common plantains', with a corresponding MRL of 4.0 ppm. This does not reflect the updated term cited in Health Canada's MRL database of 'buckhorn plantain leaves'.

Response from Health Canada

PMRL2021-30 for flonicamid proposed a 4.0 ppm maximum residue limit for 'common plantains'. Health Canada's MRL database has recently been updated, and the crop descriptor for 'common plantains' has been revised to 'buckhorn plantain leaves'.

This change is not likely to result in any trade impediments given that there are currently no Codex MRLs for either 'common plantains' or 'buckhorn plantain leaves' for flonicamid. The USEPA (our major trading partner) lists a higher American tolerance for flonicamid of 8.0 ppm for 'plantain, buckhorn', under the leafy greens subgroup 4-16A.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada has informed the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee of the World Trade Organization of this matter.