Ottawa, Canada — August 11, 2025: Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has opened a public consultation on a proposed import maximum residue limit (MRL) for the insecticide flupyradifurone in olives, following an application by Bayer CropScience Inc. The official notice, issued on August 6, 2025, clarifies that the request specifically concerns olives treated outside of Canada and does not alter domestic pesticide use patterns. As such, there will be no increase in environmental exposure and no change in occupational health risks for Canadian agricultural workers.

Flupyradifurone is a systemic insecticide from the butenolide chemical class, notable for its unique mode of action that targets the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of pests, disrupting their nervous systems and providing effective control of aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, and other sap-feeding insects. This mode of action has been classified under Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 4D, making it a valuable tool for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and resistance management programs. The compound is already registered for use in Canada on a range of crops, including leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, but no Canadian MRL currently exists for its residues in imported olives.

Establishing an import-specific MRL serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it ensures that imported food products meet the same stringent safety standards as those produced domestically, in compliance with the Food and Drugs Act. Secondly, it enables Canada to harmonize residue limits with international standards set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other major trading partners, reducing the risk of trade disputes and facilitating smoother cross-border commerce. This is particularly important for global supply chains in specialty products such as olives, where multiple countries contribute to production and export.

To establish the proposed MRL, the PMRA will undertake a detailed scientific evaluation of the data submitted by Bayer CropScience Inc. This will include residue chemistry studies conducted in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, toxicological profiles assessing both acute and chronic exposure risks, and dietary risk assessments that consider consumption patterns across different age groups and demographics. The analysis will also account for cumulative exposure to pesticides with similar toxicological effects, ensuring that the final limit remains within acceptable daily intake (ADI) and acute reference dose (ARfD) levels.

Once the PMRA has completed its scientific review, Health Canada will publish a detailed consultation document on its Consultations portal. This will open a 75-day public comment period, during which industry stakeholders, agricultural associations, food safety advocates, health professionals, and members of the public can provide feedback, submit additional data, or raise concerns. The PMRA will then assess all submissions, prepare a final decision document, and update Canada’s MRL database accordingly. This final decision will include a summary of comments received and the agency’s rationale for either confirming or modifying the proposed limit.

Canada’s approach to MRL establishment reflects its commitment to evidence-based policymaking and regulatory transparency. The process prioritizes consumer safety while maintaining access to a diverse food supply and supporting the competitiveness of Canadian markets in international trade. This proposed flupyradifurone MRL for olives is a prime example of how Canada integrates scientific risk assessment with global trade considerations to achieve balanced regulatory outcomes.

Official Source: Notice of application received – maximum residue limit for flupyradifurone for import purposes (Health Canada, August 6, 2025)