Should Pesticide Approval Consultations Be Shortened to 30 Days?

Official title: Adjusted consultation period for Proposed Registration Decision for Category A applications (Registration of new active ingredients or major new uses of pesticides), Notice of Intent NOI2025-02

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Health & Safety
Health Canada wants to shorten the public comment period for new pesticide approvals. Right now, when a company applies to register a new pesticide or major new use, the public gets time to weigh in. This proposal would standardize that window at 30 days for all Category A applications.

Why This Matters

Eat food? This affects you. New pesticides end up on fruits, vegetables, and grains. Shorter comment periods mean less time for farmers, environmental groups, and health advocates to flag concerns before approval. If you care about what's sprayed on your food, this process change matters.

What Could Change

The standard consultation period for new pesticide registrations would be set at 30 calendar days. This affects how much time the public has to review safety data and submit concerns before Health Canada makes final approval decisions on new active ingredients.

Key Issues

  • Is 30 days enough time for meaningful public input on new pesticide approvals?
  • Should the consultation period be the same for all Category A applications?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Consultation Document explaining the proposed changes.

What Happened

The consultation closed on August 15, 2025. Health Canada indicated it would consider all comments received before finalizing the proposal.

Key Documents