NEW Guidelines Surrounding the Purchase of Pest Control Products in Protected Spaces

Attention Protected Producers! There is a new national standard on the block.

The Protected Agriculture Stewardship Standards were established to assist protected agriculture operators in the identification and mitigation of risk associated with pesticide application. This set of standards was drafted by a multi-stakeholder committee including CropLife Canada in collaboration provincial and federal grower groups. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) acted in an advisory capacity to guide development of the standards.

The standards apply to any crops grown under structures, such as greenhouses, shade houses, hoop houses, high tunnels, warehouses, containers etc. This new motion requires a certificate in order to purchase any pest control products registered for use in protected spaces effective January 1, 2024. This includes biological-based products, as well as conventional chemistries. 

There are two general streams associated with this new set of standards:

Category 1PA -> Protected Ag Operators using any closed loop irrigation/chemigation systems. A closed loop system is one where any excess irrigation/chemigation liquid delivered to the crop is captured via trough. drainage tile, or other similar conveyance system. Operators using these systems are referred to as Category 1Pa Operators. 

NOTE: warehouse production structures and freight container growing operations with no subterranean plumbing and continuous flooring are excluded from this group

Category 2PA -> Protected Ag Operators not using closed loop irrigation/chemigation systems are referred to as Category 2PA Operators. 

The path forward looks different depending on which of the two streams your particular farm falls into.

A few additional tidbits:

-For those who have both types of irrigation/chemigation on their farm, a category 2 waiver is not needed. Follow through the path for Category 1PA. 

-For farms that have multiple locations/addresses - 

• A site spanning multiple address that are adjacent to one another will be considered a single site
• Multiple addresses that are NOT adjacent to one another will each be treated as a separate assessment, and a separate registration must be completed. 

-What happens if I am currently a Category 2PA operator, and we install a closed loop system in all/some of our operation?

•     When a category 2 waiver is completed, the operator agrees to terms, including notifying the AWSA of any changes in use, scope, or category. In these cases, the operation should be audited for compliance with the Standards. Once successfully audited, a certificate will be issued which renders the original category 2 waiver redundant. 

Stay tuned for details on an upcoming virtual Q&A session with a representative from CropLife in the next month! This will be a great opportunity to get clarity on the new standards effective January 1, 2024. Deadline to Register is December 31, 2023. 

In the meantime, feel free to explore AWSA's page on the Protected Agriculture Stewardship Standards and the resources provided there. 

-Talia 

Reminder: Pesticide Minor Use Priorities meeting tomorrow! (Thursday Nov 17)

It’s time for the annual selection of minor use pesticide priorities for Nova Scotia crops. All growers, conventional or organic, are invited to discuss your pesticide needs, concerns and ideas for 2023.

The session for vegetables will take place virtually via Zoom tomorrow, Thursday, November 17 from 10 AM to 12 PM. Email me for the zoom link - tmorcom@perennia.ca

 

During the discussion, our minor use representative, Michelle Cortens, will briefly outline the minor use pesticide process. Then as a group you will be guided through the different crops to assess the priority pest control needs for insects, weeds/growth regulators, and diseases. If you have potential solutions on your radar (products registered in other crops or for other uses) or have heard of products you might be interested in, please bring those along as well.

 

The priorities we select at the meeting will then be submitted on behalf of the province and used in ranking the national priorities, so please join us and share your thoughts!

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

- Tim

Product Registration Changes in Vegetables!

Recently PRMA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) has approved several IMPORTANT minor use label expansions in vegetable production. Minor use label expansions of pest control products are considered on active ingredient(s) currently registered in Canada, which are expanded for additional end uses.  Below is a table outlining some of the key information about these products and their end uses (add table directly below this paragraph).  Before integrating these products into your current pest management program, please review the label thoroughly and if needed, consult with your favourite agronomist.  The Health Canada label search tool has the most accurate and up-to-date labels, and can be found here.

 

Through the emergency use registration process Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador were successful in obtaining SWITCH®62.5 WG (cyprodinil (group 9) and fludioxonil (group12)) for use has been approved PMRA for the suppression of Alternaria leaf blight (Alternaria brassicicola) on Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower.  Being an emergency use registration, this use pattern is only permitted from July 8^th, 2022, to July 7^th, 2023, however a user requested minor use label expansion for this use of SWITCH®62.5 WG has been submitted and will hopefully be approved for the 2023 growing season.  

For more information on these products, consult the label or contact your local agronomist.

Written by Jenna Bekkers, Perennia Agricultural Research Technician

Chlorothalonil De-registration Information

 

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) initiated a special review of chlorothalonil (i.e. Bravo, Echo, etc.) in 2018. The entire consultation document can be found here [Proposed Special Review Decision PSRD2022-01 Special review of chlorothalonil and its associated end-use products - Canada.ca]. PMRA has come to the conclusion that chlorothalonil use poses a concern for human health and the environment. Health Canada is proposing continued registration of greenhouse ornamentals but all other uses of chlorothalonil are proposed for cancellation. If you wish to read the consultation documents and raise any concerns, you can do so at the PMRA publication section [https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/contact-us/pest-management-regulatory-agency-publications.html] by May 11^th, 2022. Please consider making your voice heard. The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (formerly Canadian Horticulture Council) is also conducting a survey so that they can respond to PMRA’s proposed cancellation. You can find the surveys here:

·       Fruit and Vegetable Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJ3WJHF

·       Potato Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P98D3Q7

Responses will be accepted until April 15, 2022.

Chlorothalonil is one of the few Class M (multisite) fungicides available in a number of crops.  Without it in a rotation, growers will be forced to rely on single site fungicides that all pose a greater risk of pathogens developing resistance. For many diseases, growers have other control options available to them, but with the loss of a multisite fungicide, great attention needs to be paid to rotating FRAC Groups. As always, you can find further information on control options on Perennia’s commodity specific pages. Pest Management Guides are in the process of being updated for the 2022 growing season and should be available in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, Management Guides from 2021 are still available.

Brassicas:

In Brassicas, chlorothalonil has been used to control Alternaria leaf spot and downy mildew in broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. Other products are available to use to control Alternaria such as Fontelis (7), Luna Privilege (7), Inspire (3) and Quadris Top (11, 3).  For downy mildew in Brassicas, available products include Pristine WG (7, 11), Zampro (40, 45), Quadris Top (11, 3) and Captan 50-WP (M4). Please check out Perennia’s Broccoli, Brussel Sprout, Cabbage and Cauliflower page: https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/brassica/?portfolioCats=122  for PHI and REI details.

Carrots:

In carrots, Bravo has been historically used to manage leaf blights (Cercospora and Alternaria). Other control options include Quadris Top (11, 3), Cabrio EG (11), Fontelis (7), Luna Privilege (7) and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for Cercospora and Quadris Top (11, 3), Cabrio EG (11), Pristine EG (7, 11), and Fontelis (7) for Alternaria. Please check out Perennia’s Carrot page: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guide-to-Pest-Management-in-Carrots-2021.pdf for PHI and REI details. 

Celery:

In celery, Bravo has been historically used to manage leaf blights (Cercospora and Alternaria). Other control options include Quadris Top (11, 3), Cabrio EG (11), Fontelis (7), Luna Privilege (7) and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for Cercospora and Quadris Top (11, 3), Cabrio EG (11), Pristine EG (7, 11), and Fontelis (7) for Alternaria. Please check out Perennia’s Celery page: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guide-to-Pest-Management-in-Celery-2021.pdf   for PHI and REI details.

Cucumbers:

Anthracnose, powdery mildew and scab in cucumber, controlled by Cabrio EG (11), Pristine WG (7, 11), Proline 480SC (3), Inspire (3), Fontelis (7), Vertisan (7), and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for Anthracnose, Cabrio EG (11), Pristine WG (7, 11), Proline 480SC (3), Inspire (3), Fontelis (7), Vertisan (7), Luna Privilege (7), and Quadris Top (11, 3) for powdery mildew, and Pristine WG (7, 11), Inspire (3), Fontelis (7), Luna Privilege (7), and Miravis Duo (7, 3), for scab. Please check out Perennia’s Cucumber page: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guide-to-Pest-Management-in-Carrots-2021.pdf for PHI and REI details.

Onions:

With the loss of Bravo, botrytis leaf blight in onion has other control options such as Scala SC (9), Fontelis (7), Luna Tranquility (7, 9), Quadris Top (11, 3), Sercadis (7), and Miravis Duo (7, 3). Please check out Perennia’s Onion page: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guide-to-Pest-Management-in-Onion-2021.pdf for PHI and REI details.

Parsnip:

Root canker in parsnip, unfortunately has no registered fungicides that do not contain chlorothalonil. If you are struggling with this disease, please reach out to myself, Dustin MacLean at (dustinmaclean@perennia.ca or 902 324-9623.)

Potato:

Late blight, early blight, and botrytis vine rot in potato, controlled by Dithane F-45 (M), Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WP (4, M), Quadris (11), Headline EC (11) for late blight, Fontelis (7) and Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WP (4, M), Quadris (11), Scala SC (9), Inspire (3), Luna Tranquility (7, 9) and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for early blight, and Ridomil Gold 480SL (4) being the only registered fungicide that does not contain chlorothalonil for control of botrytis vine rot in potato. Please check out Perennia’s Potato page: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/potato_guide_2016.pdf for PHI and REI details.

Tomato:

Early blight, late blight, Septoria leaf spot, anthracnose, and botrytis gray mold in tomato, controlled by Cabrio EG (11), Inspire (3), Fontelis (7), Vertisan (7), Luna Privilege (7), Luna Tranquility (7, 9), and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for early blight, Acrobat 50WP (40) for late blight, Cabrio EG (11) and Fontelis (7), and Cabrio EG (11) for Septoria leaf spot, Dynasty 100FS (11), Inspire (3), Quadris Top (11, 3), Aprovia Top (3, 7) and Miravis Duo (7, 3) for anthracnose, and Cyproflu (9, 12), Fontelis (7), and Luna Tranquility (7, 9) for botrytis gray mold. Please check out Perennia’s Tomato page: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Tomato_2018.pdf for PHI and REI details.

Perennia spray guides are updated annually and will be posted on the Perennia commodity pages in the coming weeks. As always, this information is continuously changing and therefore it can cease to be current and accurate. Pesticide labels are the best source of information and should always be consulted prior to using a product. The best source for the most up to date labels is the Health Canada website: https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/ls-re/index-eng.php

By: Dustin MacLean, Horticulturalist/Field Plant Pathologist 

Upcoming Pesticide Exam Prep Courses and Points Workshops

 Marbicon / Jim Jotcham will be offering spring in-person exam preparation courses (T-2035) AND points workshops (T-2096). The following locations are confirmed, but additional courses will be made available pending demand.

 Full course, preparing for the exam or 5.0 points ($125)

   Doors open at 8:30, finishing by 5:00 at the latest.

Contact NS Environment for the (online) exam schedule.

• Feb 21 – Berwick
• Feb 25 – Truro
• Feb 28 – New Germany
• Mar 18 – Millville CB

 Recertification workshop only, NO exam prep (5.0 points, $110)

    Doors open at 8:30, finishing at 3:00.

• Feb 22 – Berwick
• Feb 24 – Truro
• Mar 1 – New Germany
• Mar 4 - Berwick
• Mar 7 – Truro
• Mar 8 - Heatherton
• Mar 17 – Millville CB
• Mar 24 – Little Brook

5.0 recertification points will be awarded at all exam courses (T-2035) & workshops (T-2096).

Covid restrictions of the day will be followed. HST is included in the price.

Contact Jim Jotcham at marbicon@eastlink.ca or at 902-538-7101 to register. Seating is limited.

Product Registration Changes Impacting Horticulture

Q&A with Perennia Specialists

Perennia's commodity specialists are coming together to talk about product registration changes that will be coming into effect for 2022. This is a great opportunity to catch up on all things pesticides, and ask your specialist any questions you may have when it comes to label changes, use patterns and new/discontinued products. 

The focal crops during the session are apples, wild blueberries, cranberries, vegetables, berries, cannabis, and field crops. Each specialist will bring information on products that are relevant to their sector. In this conversational style webinar, we’ll answer frequently asked questions and live questions that you submit.

 For more information on the webinar, and session registration, click here

Cleanfarms 2021 Unwanted Pesticides & Old Livestock/Equine Medications Collection

The Cleanfarms 2021 Unwanted Pesticides & Old Livestock/Equine Medications Collection is happening now.  It runs from November 1 to 12.  You can take your pesticides to one of the following locations between 9 am and 4 pm:

Product Registration Changes Impacting Horticulture: Q&A with Perennia Specialists

Changes are coming. Several pesticide products will be cancelled, or labels will be updated to include amendments to use patterns. The product changes come after the re-evaluation decisions by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) – the regulatory body that assesses the acceptability of risks according to current standards.

Join us to learn updates from our seven Perennia specialists who are here to support you in the horticulture sector. This webinar will be interactive – something that we miss by seeing you all in person! That’s why we are dedicating an entire question-and-answer period to you. In this conversational style webinar, we’ll answer frequently asked questions and live questions that you submit.

The focal crops during the session are apples, wild blueberries, cranberries, vegetables, viticulture, berries, and cannabis.

It’s like a tailgate meeting with our horticulture team! Featuring Caitlin Congdon, Francisco Diez, Sajid Rehman, Hugh Lyu, Sonny Murray, Talia Plaskett, and Michelle Cortens. Questions are moderated by Jennifer Haverstock.

If you have specific questions you'd like to see answered, you can send them to any of the crop specialists who will be sure to answer them during the webinar.

This webinar is NS Environment course number T1985 worth 1.0 point in Regulations. You must attend the entire session to receive points.

Register now!

Getting into the Weeds Workshop Series

The final installment of the "Getting into the Weeds" Workshop Series is now available on Perennia's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMjHtcBZcM&t=3s

In this webinar, Gavin Graham, New Brunswick Minor Use Coordinator, and Peter Burgess, Perennia Integrated Pest Management Specialist discuss recent changes in the last few years to pesticides. In addition, Angela Gourd, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Coordinator, takes participants through the results from strawberry, onion, and carrot weed surveys.

Be sure to check out the other videos in this series, including "Winter Greens Production" with David Blanchard of Pleasant Hill Farm, and "Food Safety Success" with Shelly MacDonald and Elaine Grant of Perennia's Food Safety Team.

Upcoming WEBINAR: Pesticide Re-Evaluation Updates for Fruit and Vegetables and Nova Scotia Weed Survey

Please join us for the last session of our Getting Into the Weeds series.  This upcoming webinar is on Tuesday, April 7 from 1:00 - 2:00 and is on Pesticide Re-Evaluation Updates for Fruit and Vegetables and Nova Scotia Weed Survey.

In the last few years there have been a string of re-evaluations on pesticides, making it hard to keep up with the constantly evolving changes to pest management options. Gavin Graham, New Brunswick Minor Use Coordinator, and Peter Burgess, Perennia Integrated Pest Management Specialist, will discuss how this affects horticulture crops. At this session we will go over some of the recent changes in the last few years, some that are likely to come down the pike in the coming months, and how the process all works.  

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture have been conducting a rotating annual weed survey. Past surveys focused on corn, soybean, carrot, onion and strawberry. Information gathered from the surveys can be used to assess management practices, and determine changes in species composition and densities. This can prove to be important in identifying research needs and developing weed management strategies into the future. Angela Gourd, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Coordinator, will take us through the results from strawberry, onion, and carrot weed surveys.

PESTICIDE POINTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS WEBINAR.

Changes Coming for the Use of Chlorothalonil (Bravo®) Products

By Jill MacDonald, Perennia Research Associate

Chlorothalonil is a contact and protectant fungicide that controls a broad range of fungal diseases. It is used on a number of crops. Due to the recent re-evaluation of chlorothalonil by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) there are changes that will affect how growers use the product, in relation to how it is mixed, loaded and applied. The re-evaluation has caused a discontinuation of Bravo 500 and Ridomil Gold SL/Bravo Twin-Pak formulations. The final day that these products will be available for purchase is May 10th, 2020, and the final day that growers will be able to make applications of these products is May 10, 2021.  After this time, it will be the responsibility of the grower to properly dispose of any leftover product.

How will these changes affect how I use chlorothalonil products?

Changes to Number of Applications Permitted

There have been several changes made to the number of applications that are permitted on fruit and vegetable crops, it is important to check how your crop is affected. The full list of changes, including application rates and REIs can be found here.

A few of the crops that are undergoing changes to the number of applications permitted per season:

Crop	2019	2020
Blueberry (HB)	3	2
Cabbage	5	2
Celery, field	9	2
Cherries (sweet and sour)	4	3 (2 spring + 1 post-harvest)
Cole Crops	5	1
Cranberries	3	1
Cucurbit Vegetables	7	2
Onion, dry bulb	3	2
Onion, green bunching	5	2
Peach, nectarine	4	3 (2 spring + 1 dormant)
Potato, table	12	3
Tomato (not for processing)	9	2
Wheat	3	2

Additional PPE, Buffer Zone Changes and REI

New requirements have been put in place to protect the applicator and persons who are handling the product, by increasing the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) required. It is recommended to read the revised product label to obtain information on PPE and changes to the buffer zone requirements and restricted entry intervals (REI) for certain activities. Growers are reminded to have the updated label available to staff members who may come in contact with the product, as well as making them aware of the changes.

Implementation of Vegetative Filter Strips

Use of chlorothalonil requires a 10 meter (32’) vegetative filter strip (VFS) to be planted, if there is an aquatic ecosystem downhill from the field or sprayed area. A VFS is different than spray buffer zones: the filter strip is typically perennial, hardy, deep-rooted native vegetation that can slow runoff and filter out any pesticides that the runoff may contain. 

  

Figures were obtained from: https://www.syngentaebiz.com/dotnetebiz/imagelibrary/Vegetative_Strip_ECU_Bulletin_2019.pdf?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=lp&utm_campaign=895&utm_content=en

Introduction of Closed-system Transfer

The PMRA will now require growers, under certain circumstances, to use a closed-transfer and application system. The closed-system transfer specifically focuses on mixing and loading of the product. All potato applications, or any applications when more than 340 kg a.i. are handled in one day will be subject to these requirements.  When product is directly transferred from the tote to the sprayer tank, this will now require dry poppet connections which comply with closed-transfer. Dry poppets are available from several manufactures and are also known by several names, such as dry poppet couplings or valves. Syngenta currently supplies a female dry poppet to male cam lever adapter with each tote of Bravo Zn. Many chemical handling systems and sprayers are fitted with cam lever connections from the factory, in this case you can purchase a dry poppet to cam lever adapter. The existing dry poppet valves on the 450L totes of Bravo®ZN are already compliant with the closed-system transfer requirement and will not need to be altered.

Figures were obtained from: https://www.syngentaebiz.com/Media_Upload/Pdfs/SY_19_WhitePaper_BravoZNClosedSystem_R3.pdf?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=lp&utm_campaign=895&utm_content=en

Additional Important Changes

Hand harvesting of processing tomatoes and application through irrigation systems on strawberries and cucurbits (cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew, squash, pumpkin, watermelon and cucumber) is now prohibited.

For further details, please visit Syngenta.ca.

Subscribe to Nova Scotia Vegetable Blog by Email

New pesticide registrations

Agri-Réseau is a resource available through The Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ).  Every month, they publish a list of new phytoprotection registrations.  At Perennia, we are fortunate to have Mélanie Leclerc as part of our staff, and she has translated the March list of new pesticide registrations for Fruit Trees, Field Crops, Vegetables, Greenhouse, Berries, Ornamental, and "Other" (hops, hemp, quinoa, and basil), which can be found here.

From the Vegetable side, the main excitement is a few more weed control options in asparagus, Brassicas, and shallots, and some new disease management options in asparagus, kohlrabi, Brassica leafy greens, and bulb vegetables (Group 3-07A and 3-07B, so bulb onions, garlic, shallots, green onions, leeks, etc.)