1. 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

2. 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

3. PEST ORGANISMS
INSECTS
PATHOGENS
WEEDS
MAMMALS

4. PESTICIDES
CHEMICALS
SEMIO-CHEMICALS
MICROBIALS
NATURALS

5. 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

6. PROCESS
Pest Problem
Research
Data Package
Review
Label
Application

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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).