Regulatory Directive: Pesticides for Use in Forest and Woodlands Management

October 28, 1993
ISBN: N/A
Cat. No.: N/A
(DIR93-10)

The purpose of this document is to inform pesticide registrants and other interested groups and agencies about the regulatory status of pesticides for use in forest management, woodlands management, and on ornamentals.

This Regulatory Directive replaces Trade Memorandum T-1-203 dated October 31, 1980.

Pesticide products for use in wooded areas are divided into the following three categories:

1.0 Forest Management - Restricted

This category covers treatment of more than 500 hectares of a wooded area or of a site to be planted to forest (site preparation). All products with directions for "forest" or "forest management" uses are classified Restricted and are subject to interdisciplinary review and permit requirements under provincial legislation. Before proceeding with a "forest" or "forest management" use, provincial regulatory officials must be contacted. The labels of registered pest control products with directions for "forest" or "forest management" use must bear the statement "This product is to be used only in the manner authorized; consult local pesticide regulatory authorities about use permits which may be required."

2.0 Woodlands Management

This category covers treatment of 500 hectares or less of a wooded area or of a site to be planted to forest (site preparation). Examples include Christmas tree plantations, regenerating tree stands, and treed areas such as parklands and private woodlots. Seed orchards and tree nurseries are not considered woodlands.

2.1 Woodlands Management - Restricted

Aerial application of pesticides for woodlands management is considered a restricted use.

Labels of registered pest control products bearing directions for use in the Woodlands Management category that are Restricted will be accompanied by the statement: "This product is to be used only in the manner authorized; consult provincial pesticide regulatory authorities about use permits that may be required."

2.2 Woodlands Management - Commercial

Products bearing labels with instructions for treatment in the following areas are classified Commercial:

  • application of pesticides to woodland sites by ground equipment;
  • application of pesticides in treed areas (of the kind ordinarily expected in municipal parks) by ground equipment.

In order that the user is aware of the 500 hectare limitation, all registered labels carrying directions for use in woodlands management must indicate this limitation.

Application of pesticides along rights-of-way in woodlands and forests, by ground or air, or individual frill, stump, basal bark application or tree injection in woodlands and forests (when stated as such on the label) will be considered industrial uses within the Commercial classification

3.0 Ornamental - Commercial

Applications of pesticides in treed areas of less than one hectare are designated ornamental uses and may include single trees. Products bearing these label claims are generally designated Commercial or Domestic class, and are for ground application only.

Note that the application rates of the active ingredient in insecticides may vary among the Forest Management, Woodlands Management and Ornamental use categories for the same pest and tree species. This is because the required degree of control may be different.

Classification of products for use in the above areas may also be affected by toxicity of the product. For example, a product labelled for ground application in woodlands may require Restricted classification if the product is highly toxic.

Please direct any inquiries regarding this Regulatory Directive to:

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
Health Canada
2250 Riverside Drive
A.L. 6606D1
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Information Service: 1-800-267-6315 (In Canada only)

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