Government of Canada launches call for nominations for new Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products

Independent expert panel will support evidence-based decision making on pesticides

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 27, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Health Canada

Canadians have high expectations with regards to the transparency and sustainability of the pesticide review process, and the Government of Canada is committed to meeting these standards. Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, officially launched a call for nominations to create a new Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products in Canada.

The committee, established under Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), will provide advice, as appropriate, prior to certain evidence-based federal decisions on pesticides, including on pesticide Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). In addition, the committee's role will be to provide scientific advice in response to issues for consideration, including:

• specific technical aspects of PMRA human health and/or environmental risk assessments;
• a pesticide's value in contributing to the management of a relevant pest problem in Canada; and,
• specific technical aspects of pesticide risk management options.

Health Canada is seeking nominations of experts with a wide range of relevant knowledge and experience, including pesticide use in Canada, environmental fate and modelling, health risk assessment, or pesticide value assessment. The Department is also seeking nominations to assemble a roster of experts to advise the committee on an ad hoc basis, depending on the nature of the issues on the meeting agenda.

Interested individuals can apply online by March 11, 2022. Appointments will be part of an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process that will strive to reflect the diverse communities in Canada as well as balanced regional and linguistic representation, and gender parity.

Quotes
"Our government is committed to transparency in all decisions that affect Canadians. The new Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products in Canada will provide independent scientific advice on key pesticide-related issues, allowing Health Canada to continue their important work in assessing pesticide safety in Canada."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

Quick Facts

• The call for nominations is open from January 27, 2022, until March 11, 2022.
• The committee is expected to include 5-8 core members, each serving 36 month terms and possible extension.
• The committee will report to the Executive Director of PMRA.
• The committee will run independently from the existing Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC), which provides broad non-scientific advice to the Minister of Health on the strategic direction, management, and overall priorities for PMRA.
• To further strengthen the transparency and sustainability of pesticide management in Canada, the Government of Canada announced on August 4, 2021 an investment of $50 million in PMRA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's pest management research, to be supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Associated Links

Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products: Nomination call for members 
Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products: Terms of Reference  
News Release: Government of Canada pauses decision on Glyphosate as it strengthens the capacity and transparency of review process for pesticides

SOURCE Health Canada

Marie-France Proulx, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709