Re-evaluation Note REV2016-17, Initiation of Special Reviews: Potential Environmental Risk to Aquatic Invertebrates Related to the Use of Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
23 November 2016
ISSN: 1925-0649 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-5/2016-17E-PDF (PDF version)

Initiation of Special Reviews

This notice is to advise that pursuant to subsection 17(1) of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is initiating special reviews related to registered pest control products containing the active ingredients clothianidin or thiamethoxam.

Based on a preliminary analysis of available information on the levels and frequency of detection of these pesticides in aquatic environments, the PMRA has determined that special reviews are warranted. The aspect of concern for these reviews is to assess potential risk to aquatic invertebrates exposed to clothianidin or thiamethoxam applied as a seed, foliar or soil treatment.

Following evaluations of the aspect of concern, pursuant to section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act, the PMRA will publish its proposed special review decisions for public consultation.

At any point during the special reviews, the registration of one or more of the pest control products containing the active ingredients clothianidin or thiamethoxam may be amended should evidence become available to believe that such action is necessary to deal with a situation that endangers the environment.

Tables 1 and 2 list the clothianidin and thiamethoxam products, respectively, which are subject to these special reviews.