WORKSHOPS ON THE REGISTRATION OF PESTICIDES The use of pesticides and the acceptability of residues on food and non-food crops are national, legal responsibilities that are not subject to WTO interventions. National differences in the registration and regulation of pesticide uses lead to an increasing number of trade barriers. These barriers ‘hurt’ producers and consumers in all countries but the level of perceived ‘pain’ is significantly higher in developing countries than in industrialized countries. This paper describes the problem and a proposal to its solution. Imme Gerke, PhD Jacques Drolet, PhD April 2008

PEST SITES FOOD FOOD PROCESSING STORAGE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY FORAGE GRASSLANDS LANDSCAPING NURSERIES FLOWERS CHRISTMAS TREES ORNAMENTALS FORESTRY WOOD PRODUCTS TRANSPORT STRUCTURAL USES URBAN RURAL INDUSTRIAL

PEST ORGANISMS INSECTS PATHOGENS WEEDS MAMMALS

PESTICIDES CHEMICALS SEMIO-CHEMICALS MICROBIALS NATURALS

REGULATIONS all pesticides have to be reviewed for the environmental and human safety of their use pesticides that are considered to be within acceptable risk are registered registered pesticides can only be distributed and used with a label that states the conditions for a safe use governmental agencies monitor applications and verify products and sites for pesticide residues registrations and regulations of pesticides are the responsibility of national governments

PROCESS Pest Problem Research Data Package Review Label Application

PROBLEMS occurrence of new pest invasive species quarantine pests pest resistance to pesticides de-registration of pesticides differential Maximum Residue Limits increasing size of data packages

INCREASING WORKLOAD SIZE OF DATA PACKAGES new scientific findings new technologies new regulations more pests more crops international harmonization NUMBER OF PRODUCTS new chemistry new formulations new application methods

INTERNATIONAL TRADE The Intensity with which a country can trade is directly related to the number of pesticide uses that are registered in this country. When pesticide uses are not properly registered and regulated buyer countries doubt: choice of pesticides used amount of pesticides used produce/product being protected Intensity of Trade Number of Registered Uses

WORKSHARE writing up review report assessing Results assessing Material & Methods Registration Decision Risk Mitigation Risk Assessment Efficacy Environment Exposure Toxicology Manufacture Chemistry

BLOCKAGES LACK OF … understanding of overall process … understanding of information requirements … understanding of how to build a data package … understanding of how to review a data package … resources to build data packages … resources to review data packages

SOLUTION Registration Workshops to build the understanding of overall process, of information requirements and of how to build a data package Internships to build the understanding of how to review a data package International communication among users, among manufacturers and among regulators to allow governments to reach identical results.

ON THE WAY Registration Workshops to build the understanding of overall process, of information requirements and of how to build a data package So far we have held two workshops in Canada. Need is recognized in other industrialized countries, emerging economies and developing countries. Course structure exists and is easily adaptable. Internships to build the understanding of how to review a data package Canada has received requests from other countries. Some countries already offer this service. International communication among users, among manufacturers and among regulators Several activities are already on the way: NAFTA, OECD, Global Minor Use Summit (FAO).