Should a Beetle-Repelling Pheromone Stay Approved for Forestry Use?

Official title: Consultation on 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one and its associated end-use products, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2024-05

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Health & Safety
Health Canada wants to keep approving methylcyclohexenone, a natural pheromone that repels bark beetles from Douglas-fir and spruce trees. Forestry workers staple slow-release dispensers to trees before beetle season. The agency found no health or environmental risks with current use, so no new restrictions are proposed—just updated label wording.

Why This Matters

This one's pretty niche. If you work in forestry or live near beetle-affected forests in BC or Alberta, you might care. The pheromone protects trees from destructive bark beetles without toxic pesticides. For most Canadians, this won't affect daily life.

What Could Change

If approved as proposed, the three registered products stay on the market with updated labels. No new safety requirements would be added. Forestry operations could continue using this beetle deterrent the same way they do now.

Key Issues

  • Should methylcyclohexenone products remain registered for sale in Canada?
  • Are the proposed label statement updates appropriate?

How to Participate

  1. Read the Proposed Re-evaluation Decision to understand the science behind this proposal.
  2. Submit comments to the PMRA Publications Section, referencing document PRVD2024-05.

What Happened

The consultation closed on December 23, 2024. Health Canada will publish a final Re-evaluation Decision on the Reports and Publications section of Canada.ca once finalized.

Key Documents