Tip 1: Use Acceptable Pesticides Only
To prevent unacceptable pesticide residue in grain, only apply pesticides that are registered for use on your crop in Canada, are acceptable to both domestic and export customers, and won’t create trade concerns. Be aware of the potential market risks associated with these crop protection products on certain crop types before making application decisions this growing season.
Refer to our annual Product Advisory for information on market considerations and classifications of specific crop protection products.
Products listed in the advisory may restrict marketing options due to missing or misaligned maximum residue limits (MRLs) in our export markets or market acceptance issues by certain buyers.
Talk to your grain buyer to ensure the products you are using are acceptable to both domestic and export customers. Growers must be aware of these restrictions and take appropriate risk mitigation steps to ensure product residues remain below MRLs set by regulatory agencies.
FAQs
What causes unacceptable pesticide residues in grain?
Unacceptable residues are most commonly caused by off-label use, incorrect application rates or spray timing or using products that are not accepted for a specific crop–market combination.
Why do export markets have different pesticide residue limits?
More countries are now setting their own limits for pesticide residue tolerances, instead of following one internationally recognized standard. Inconsistent maximum residue limit (MRL) policies in export markets means that limits may differ from Canadian standards or may not exist for certain product–crop combinations.
Where can I check export restrictions before applying pesticides?
You should consult the annual Product Advisory for market risk guidance and use the PHI calculator to plan application timing. Grain buyers are also a critical source of market-specific information.
Additional Resources
Product Advisory
A list of crop protection products which may create market risk when used on some crops and steps to mitigate risk.
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