On January 21, 2021, a summary document of what was heard during that consultation was published, as well as an Information Note: Regulation of Pesticides to Control Large Vertebrate Predators. As such, in the interest of seeking Canadians’ views and input regarding the humaneness of these pesticides, Health Canada published the consultation document Humane Vertebrate Pest Control for a 120-day consultation period that ended in April 2019. Health Canada acknowledges concerns among Canadians about the use of pesticides to control large predators and the unintended effects on non-target animals. It should also be noted that there are currently no standardized scientific protocols in place in any Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country for evaluating the humaneness of products intended to control problem animals in the wild. Rather, they are set for each circumstance, based on the ability to closely control and observe the animals and the conditions they are subject to, and to minimize unnecessary suffering. In addition, although humaneness protocols and guidelines are established by veterinary and animal care organizations for situations such as laboratory animal testing or livestock abattoirs, it is important to note that these are not standardized. Conditions of use require measures be taken to prevent non-target exposure, and noncompliance with these measures are subject to enforcement under the Pest Control Products Act and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act. It should be noted that these products are restricted class products and can only be used by provincial officials in Alberta and Saskatchewan, or persons designated by these provinces specifically to control large predators, in circumstances where livestock have been killed, threatened wildlife populations have been impacted through predation, or there are risks to people. Label instructions for these pesticides include restrictions to minimize poisoning of non-target animals, including species at risk, and other measures to minimize exposure to humans. Health Canada’s assessments of these pesticides indicated that the use has value and the risks of the product are acceptable, provided that the directions for use specified on the label are followed. However, the use of sodium cyanide will not be permitted as of December 31, 2021, as this pesticide has been cancelled by the manufacturer. There are currently three active ingredients registered to control large vertebrate predators in Canada: sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080), sodium cyanide and strychnine. Health Canada does not determine whether a product should be used (for example, for wildlife control or any other purpose), only that it can be used safely in accordance with the conditions of registration. Health Canada’s number one priority is to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment.īefore a pesticide is allowed to be used or sold in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment process to determine that the health and environmental risks of using the product are acceptable, when used according to label directions. In Canada, pesticides are regulated federally under the Pest Control Products Act, which is administered by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).
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