Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. - Classification, reclassification or declassification of a pesticide

Description of instrument

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain F727 is a new pesticide ingredient contained in the end use product: Stargus Biofungicide (Reg. No. 33246), 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: 33246

• Product Name: Stargus Biofungicide (formerly MBI-110 EP Biofungicide)
• Product Type: Biological Fungicide (soil microorganism)
• Formulation: Liquid
• Active Ingredient: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain F727 (≥1x10⁸CFU/mL (96.4% w/v)
• Federal Classification: Commercial (Agricultural)
• Use areas and pests:
  • Field grown: cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, watermelon, melon, muskmelon, and squash for suppression of Downy mildew
  • Grapes for suppression of Downy mildew and Black rot
  • Bean, Pea, Soybeans (Succulent or Dried) for partial suppression of White mold
  • Canola, Rapeseed (Brassica spp.; Brassica napus) for partial suppression of Sclerotinia stem rot
  • Sunflower for partial suppression of stalk rot
  • Potatoes for suppression of Pink rot
• 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 a NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece with any N, R, or P 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 the product be placed in Class 3 to ensure the product is used by trained applicators and certified farmers.

Other information

New active ingredient: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain F727.

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.