Joint release for Ontario grain stakeholders

No trade concerns with new soy and corn protection products available in 2024

January 31, 2024: Following a rigorous review of export market requirements and residue potential when used according to the label, the joint Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has concluded that the risk of any crop protection product residue-related trade disruption is acceptable for one new corn product and two new soybean products available in 2024. With 70 per cent of Ontario soybeans exported along with a significant amount of corn, maintaining market access, and preventing risk is important to get the most value for Ontario grown corn and soybeans.

The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans was established by Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada to prevent market access issues by meeting requirements for pesticide residues and to facilitate predictable commercialization of crop protection products. This forum allows for the value chain, which includes the crop protection registrants, producer organizations, ag-retailers, grain originators, processors, and exporters to evaluate the residue profile of new pesticides and discuss potential trade implications prior to market launch. The Ontario Agri Business Association is a member of the Committee and a partner in bringing together the Ontario grain value chain to achieve the Committee’s goals.

The approach used by the Committee follows the “Market Acceptance of Pesticide Use Policy” developed by the grain value chain under the auspices of the Canada Grains Council and adopted by other commodity associations in Canada. More information on this policy and evaluation framework is available here. In brief, the Maximum Residues Limits (MRLs) of crop protection products are evaluated by the Committee against requirements in key export markets – a MRL is the maximum amount of a crop protection product permitted in grain and is determined by the importing country. Product use information such as application rates, timing of application, and relevant residue data are considered as part of the assessment, along with risk management strategies as necessary.

For corn, one product slated for market launch in 2024 was assessed. For soybeans, two products were evaluated. The active ingredients for these products and the resulting Pest Control Product (PCP) numbers assigned by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) are provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Products registered for use on corn and soybeans evaluated by the Market Assessment Committee

Based on the MRL profile of the active ingredients reviewed, the Committee concluded that the risk of any MRL-related trade disruption was acceptable. No advisories to limit the use of these products were deemed to be necessary at this time.

This assessment marked the third formal evaluation of the Joint Market Assessment Committee for Corn and Soybeans. Future assessments will be conducted following this process (or amended, as needed) on an annual basis, or as required.

For more information, please contact:

Victoria Berry
Manager, Communications
Grain Farmers of Ontario
vberry@gfo.ca
226-820-6641

Brian Innes
Executive Director
Soy Canada
binnes@soycanada.ca
(613) 617-8483

DISCLAIMER
Any use of or reliance on this Assessment, the contents of this Assessment or the information provided through this Assessment shall be at your sole risk. Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada makes no representation or warranty of any kind regarding this Assessment, the contents of this Assessment or the information provided in this Assessment, all of which are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada expressly disclaims all representations, warranties, conditions, and endorsements as to the operation of this Assessment, the contents of this Assessment or the information provided in this Assessment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada makes no warranty as to the accuracy, quality, or completeness of the contents of this Assessment or information provided through this Assessment, nor to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada does not warrant that this Assessment or the delivery, hosting and ancillary services or facilities of third-party suppliers utilized by the Joint Market Access Committee for Corn and Soybeans will continue to operate, will operate without interruptions or will be error-free.

The information within this Assessment does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the pesticide product labeling or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the pesticide product labeling. Always read and follow the Directions for Use stipulated on the product label.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
In no circumstances shall Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada, its officers or employees be responsible or liable for any loss or damages whatsoever, including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) any direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential damages, arising from or in connection with your use of, access to or your reliance on, or your inability to use or access, this Assessment, any contents of this Assessment, any information provided in this Assessment, any website linked to this Assessment, or any contents thereof, any website linking to this Assessment, or any contents thereof, or any delivery, hosting and ancillary services or facilities of third-party suppliers utilized by Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada. Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada are not responsible and assumes no liability for third-party contents of this Assessment or third-party information provided through this Assessment.