While the rest of Canada is seized with an existential threat from our largest trading partner, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is adding layers of red tape and costs that threaten the competitiveness of Canadian farmers. It is quickly moving forward with the final stages of its Transformation Agenda, which is out of touch with the current government and industry focus on driving economic growth and competitiveness for Canada.
These changes will only serve to keep crop protection innovation out of Canada, removing valuable tools farmers need to continue to provide the healthiest, safest and most abundant food products possible.
Advancing Agriculture is calling for:
- An immediate pause on all activities in the Transformation Agenda
- The withdrawal of the fee increase proposal, which is currently in the Canada Gazette process to become law
Ministerial oversight to bring about positive change in the PMRA where it has the long-term ability to fulfill its scientific, health and environmental protection mandate while enabling the growth of Canadian agriculture
Now is not the time to add additional unnecessary layers of regulatory burden that will stifle business and innovation. Now is the time for Canada to focus squarely on the things within its control, which includes reducing red tape.
Visit Advancing Agriculture’s website to add your voice – you’ll be able to access and send a letter to the government to say that the PMRA Transformative Agenda is out of touch with the urgent need to make Canada more competitive.
