Management of Pesticides that Pose Fisheries and Wildlife Concerns

The Commercial Chemicals Division (CCD) is responsible for the protection of non-target organisms and their habitats from the harmful effects of pesticides, as required by the Fisheries Act (Section 36) and the Migratory Birds Convention Act Regulations. This responsibility is largely accomplished by influencing the decisions made by two agencies: (1) the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada that registers pesticides in Canada; and (2) the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (BCMWLAP) that regulates the use of registered pesticide products in the province.

In this Region, CCD, in consultation with the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, advises PMRA on regional concerns relating to registered pesticides and requests for emergency registrations. CCD not only advises BCMWLAP, but also participates as an appointed member on the British Columbia Pesticide Control Committee. CCD influences these two agencies by focusing on the following key activities:

• developing guidelines on pesticide use to protect non-target organisms and habitat areas;
• participating in workgroups to influence the positive consideration of environmentally friendly pesticide management practices;
• offering technical advice regarding spray proposals to protect sensitive resources;
• auditing problem spray programs to adjudicate and mitigate controversies;
• undertaking scientific studies of problem pesticides to substantiate use restriction or product de-registration; and
• exchanging information on pesticides and related subjects to educate stakeholders.

The development of effective regional and national codes of good practice, guidelines, protocols and regulations on the knowledgeable use of pesticides to ensure the protection of fish, wildlife and the Canadian environment depends on scientific information.

CCD's work on pesticides has focused on the generation of toxicological data on pesticides that were, and are, of concern to the Pacific and Yukon Region. As well, the environmental levels, persistence and exposure potential of these pesticides were determined by conducting in situ field studies. Titles and Abstracts of scientific papers of these studies are listed on the attached list of publications.

The emphasis of CCD pesticide program has now shifted to encompass methods to reduce the use of pesticides through the application of integrated pest management and other environmentally friendly techniques to protect ecosystems and to promote ecological sustainability. For pesticides of significant regional concern, a scientific risk assessment will now be undertaken on their environmental behaviour and impact potential. Based on the evaluation, recommendations may be made to change prescribed use patterns. These recommendations may include use restrictions or the de-registration of these pesticides.

For more information on the Pesticide Program in the Pacific and Yukon Region, please write or call:

Environment Canada
Environmental Protection Branch
Commercial Chemicals Division
401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 3S5

Phone: (604) 666-3111
Fax: (604) 666-6800
E-mail: Pesticide-PYR@ec.gc.ca