Response to comments received on PMRL consultation for Pyroxasulfone (PMRL2021-28)

The proposed maximum residue limit (MRL) document for pyroxasulfone (PMRL2021-28) was published using the terms 'peppermint tops' and 'spearmint tops', with a corresponding MRL of 0.2 ppm. This does not reflect the updated terms cited in Health Canada's MRL database for pyroxasulfone of 'fresh peppermint leaves', 'dried peppermint leaves', 'fresh spearmint leaves' and 'dried spearmint leaves'.

Response from Health Canada

PMRL2021-28 for pyroxasulfone proposed a 0.2 ppm maximum residue limit for both peppermint tops and spearmint tops. Health Canada's MRL database has recently been updated, and the crop descriptor for 'peppermint tops' has been revised to include both 'fresh peppermint leaves' and 'dried peppermint leaves'. Similarly, the crop descriptor for 'spearmint tops' has been revised to include both 'fresh spearmint leaves' and 'dried spearmint leaves'.

This change is not likely to result in any trade impediments given that there are currently no Codex MRLs for fresh or dried peppermint or spearmint leaves for pyroxasulfone. The USEPA (our major trading partner) lists the same American tolerance for pyroxasulfone of 0.20 ppm for 'peppermint, fresh leaves' and 'spearmint, fresh leaves', and has no tolerances for dried peppermint or spearmint leaves.

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