Changes to the registration of phosmet pesticides

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  • Organization: Health Canada
  • Date published: November 2023
  • ISBN: 978-0-660-67682-1

All pesticides used in Canada must be registered under the Pest Control Products Act. Pesticides are re-evaluated to ensure that they continue to meet health and environmental requirements. Re-evaluation may result in the revocation of a product or product uses. Health Canada may also request changes to a product's label, including risk mitigation measures, use sites and application methods.

Phosmet is an organophosphate insecticide used to control insect pests on a wide variety of agricultural crops and ornamental plants. The key elements of the re-evaluation decision for the active ingredient phosmet, published on October 30, 2020, are summarized below.

Label changes for phosmet pesticide, as of October 30, 2022

Cancelled uses

  • Stop use on alfalfa
  • Stop use on grapes
  • Stop use in residential areas
  • Stop application using handheld mister/fogger equipment

End of use delayed to October 30, 2024, against the Japanese beetle

on outdoor ornamentals grown for cut flowers:

Interim risk mitigation measures

  • Limit to one application per season
  • Maximum spray volume of 300 L/ha
  • Interim restricted-entry intervals (REI) ranging from 12 hours to 6 days post application

Other risk reduction measures

  • Addition to the required personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Changes to application methods
  • Restrictions on quantities of product handled per day
  • Reduced application schedule
  • Revised restricted-entry intervals (REI) and pre-harvest intervals (PHI)
  • Added statements to reduce human exposure to spray residues and spray drift
  • Strict schedule of application and addition of hazard statements relating to the protection of bees
  • Addition of hazard statements relating to the protection of aquatic organisms, birds, small wild mammals and other non-target arthropods

Phosmet pesticides registered in Canada (as of January 1, 2023)

Product Registration number
IMIDAN 50 WP INSTAPAK 23006
IMIDAN WP 29064

Users must follow the instructions on the updated labels.

Using a pesticide contrary with the label directions is a violation of the Pest Control Products Act.

Read the label

All pesticides registered in Canada have a Health Canada-approved label with a registration number. Read the pesticide label carefully, as it contains specific information on how to use it.

To find the most up-to-date label, use our online label search tool or search for "Health Canada pesticide labels" using your favourite search engine.

For more information

Re-evaluation Decision RVD2020-11, Phosmet and its associated end-use products. The Health Canada-approved label is the official document for enforcement purposes. In the event of any discrepancy with the contents of this factsheet, the information on the label shall prevail.

Health Canada's Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP) is responsible for the enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act.

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