FMC Corporation - Classification, reclassification or declassification of a pesticide

Bacillus licheniformis strain FMCH001 and Bacillus subtilis strain FMCH002 are new pesticide ingredients contained in the end use product: Avodigen (Regulation No. 33311), that is proposed for classification in Ontario.

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: 33311

• product name: Avodigen (formerly F4018-4)
• product type: biological fungicide/nematicide
• formulation: suspension live organism
• active Ingredient: Bacillus licheniformis strain FMCH001 (minimum of 2.3 x 1010 viable spores/mL) and Bacillus subtilis strain FMCH002 (minimum of 2.3 x 1010 viable spores/mL)
• federal classification: commercial (agricultural)
• use areas and pests: for use as a seed treatment on a variety of seeds microbial seed treatment that partially suppresses seed rot and seedling blight caused by the soil fungus Rhizoctonia solani in corn, soybean and sunflower, as well as destructive nematode species in corn and soybean.
• provisional class: 3

Although this end use product meets all hazard criteria for Class 4 pesticides (less or least hazardous), the Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee (OPAC) has recommended that the above product be classified as a Class 3 pesticide based on the federal label directions and precautionary statements for users and applicators. The product label specifies that users must wear NIOSH approved particulate filtering facepiece respirator with any N, R, P filter when handling and during all clean-up and repair activities 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 the product be placed in Class 3 to ensure the product is used by trained applicators and certified farmers.

Other information

New active ingredients: Bacillus licheniformis strain FMCH001 and Bacillus subtilis strain FMCH002.

For more information on the above product, please access Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Search Product Label link under the Additional Information.

For additional information about classification of pesticide products in Ontario, please access the Pesticides Classification link under the Additional Information.