CAAR proudly represents CAAR members and the ag retailer community on the Domestic MRL Committee. CAAR will work together with the committee to ensure regulations regarding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are fair, while ensuring that Canadian exports are not exposed to unacceptable trade risk. 

The Step-by-step Review Process

Between November 2020 to January 2021, CAAR will be joining the MRL Committees to review all newly registered or expansions of crop protection products. This new-product review includes the following three-step process:

1. Identify markets of interest of the commodity in question and consider markets that are standard setters, undergoing policy change, major export markets and has significance to the value chain
2. Identify crop input products of interest, such as newly registered Canadian products
3. Identify risk assessment of new product and compare information to available MRLs in markets of interest

Through this voluntary review process, CAAR aims to help minimize potential trade risks while maximizing Canada's ability to export crops to our export customers.

Who Are the Stakeholders?

The Domestic MRL Committee is comprised of national commodity associations like Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada, which are responsible for representing developers, farmers, grain handlers and exporters, processors and end-use companies in their respective industries.

The Pest Management Agency of Health Canada (PMRA) regulates Canadian crop input products for safety and to ensure they pose a relatively low risk for applicators to use. Health Canada also sets limits on Maximum Residue Limits or MRLs, the maximum amount of pesticides leftover on food products, but they do not have regulations protecting ag retailers' exports that are affected by Health Canada's MRL regulations.

For more information on the MRLs and CAAR’s involvement in the Domestic MRL Committee, please read the full PDF for more details.