BASF Canada - Classification, reclassification or declassification of a pesticide

Description of instrument

Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 is a new pesticide ingredient contained in the following end use products that are proposed for classification in Ontario:

• Velondis Extra (Reg. No. 33251),
• Velondis Flex (Reg. No. 33255), and
• Velondis Plus (Reg. No. 33256).

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) assesses pesticides for their risks to human health and the environment, and examines the efficacy and value of pest control products in registering products under the Pest Control Products Act for sale and use across Canada.

In Ontario, the Pesticides Act and Ontario Regulation 63/09 stipulate that federally registered pesticides must be classified in Ontario before they are legal for sale and use.

PCP Registration No.: 33251

• Product Name: Velondis Extra
• Product Type: Biological Fungicide (Live organisms)
• Formulation: Liquid
• Active Ingredient:
  • Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 (not less than 1.76 x 10⁸ CFU/mL) and
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI 600 (not less than 1.76 x 10¹⁰CFU/mL)
• Federal Classification: Commercial (Agricultural)
• Pests and Use area: for the partial suppression of seedling diseases (seed rot and pre/post emergent damping-off) caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp. in corn (field, pop, sweet, seed production)
• Provisional Class: 3

PCP Registration No: 33255

• Product Name: Velondis Flex
• Product Type: Biological Fungicide (Live organisms)
• Formulation: Liquid
• Active Ingredient: Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 (not less than 1.4 x 10⁹ CFU/mL)
• Federal Classification: Commercial (Agricultural)
• Pests and Use area: for the partial suppression of seedling blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani or suppression of labelled seedling diseases (seed rot and pre/post emergent damping-off) caused by Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia solani in wheat
• Provisional Class: 3

PCP Registration No: 33256

• Product Name: Velondis Plus
• Product Type: Biological Fungicide (Live organisms)
• Formulation: Liquid
• Active Ingredient:
  • Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 (not less than 1.4 x 10⁹ CFU/mL)
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI 600 (not less than 1.4 x 10¹⁰ CFU/mL)
• Federal Classification: Commercial (Agricultural)
• Pests and Use area: for the partial suppression (seed rot, pre/post emergent damping-off) or suppression of seedling diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum in soybean.
• Provisional Class: 3

Although these products meet all hazard criteria for Class 4 pesticides (less or least hazardous), the Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee (OPAC) has recommended that the above products be classified as a Class 3 pesticide based on the federal label directions and precautionary statements for users and applicators. The product labels specify that users must wear a dust/mist filtering respirator (MSH/NIOSH approved number prefix TC-21C) or a NIOSH approved respirator with any N-95, R-95, P-95 or HE filter for biological products when handling, mixing/loading or applying these products to protect against direct contact through inhalation.

Class 3 pesticides are federally designated as restricted or commercial products, and are moderately hazardous. Class 3 pesticides may be used by licensed exterminators and certified growers who are trained and knowledgeable in their proper use. OPAC recommends that these products be placed in Class 3 to ensure they are used by trained applicators and certified farmers.