Parliamentary Research Branch

PRB 98-2E

FEDERAL ACTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Prepared by:
Sonya Dakers, Science and Technology Division
Jean-Denis Fréchette, Economics Division
      September 1998

Over the past decade, farmers have been adjusting their farming techniques in order to support environmentally sustainable agriculture. They have re-introduced crop rotation, reduced tillage and summer fallow, and enhanced shelter belts. More diversification and greater integration of livestock and crop operations are evident, as are conservation and stewardship plans.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has now developed a strategy for integrating environmental factors into day-to-day decision-making by the sector and government. The strategy is intended to promote stewardship and sustainable use of the agricultural resource base in order to explore innovative solutions to environmental challenges. It also aims at increasing industry awareness of environmental marketing and trade opportunities and constraints.

Performance indicators have been developed to measure and report on the success of implementing the strategy. Every three years, the strategy will be updated, to enable the sector and the department to build on what has been achieved.

In spring 1995, responsibility and resources for federal pesticide regulation were consolidated in an agency within Health Canada. This was a major step in the reform of the pesticide regulatory system.

Until that time, all pest control products used in or imported into Canada had to be registered according to provisions of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and Regulations, administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with advice from Health Canada, Environment Canada and Forestry Canada (since disbanded). The products regulated are diverse and include pesticides and pest management agents used in agriculture, forestry, industry, public heath and in households.

The need to revise the pesticide system continued through the 1980s when in successive policies the federal government attempted to deal with patent protection for new chemical products. A consultation paper outlining various options that included significant data protection was released in the summer of 1987, but it was not until 1989 that the government undertook an independent review of the entire system.

The 12-member Pesticide Review Team included representatives from health, environment, labour, research and consumer groups and from the farm, forestry and chemical industries. In December 1990, after 18 months of work and public consultations, the team presented 28 recommendations for a Revised Federal Pest Management Regulatory System to the federal government.

The government’s response came in February 1992, when it announced a six-year plan to implement a revised pesticide regulatory system designed to be more accountable, transparent and predictable. Financial resources of $81 million were to come almost entirely from Green Plan funds.

As the first step towards coordinating all the various pest management activities, the government established the Interdepartmental Executive Committee on Pest Management to coordinate the activities of the four departments involved and a Secretariat to oversee implementation of those recommendations of the Review Team to which the government agreed. As mentioned, the Minister of Health assumed responsibility for pest management regulation on 1 April 1995 and continues to liaise with the other key federal departments and develop Memoranda of Understanding to facilitate strong working relationships with them.

The Government of Canada has three main goals for the revised regulatory system: better protection of health, safety and the environment; more competitive agriculture and forestry resource sectors; and a more open and efficient regulatory process.

The risk posed by a new product is evaluated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency according to data submitted by applicants. The Agency introduced a cost-recovery scheme in 1996-97 and farmers are concerned about how the requirement to pay fees will affect the purchase of low-use agricultural pesticides and international competitiveness.