Canada's pesticide regulator, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, has faced accusations since its inception of favoring pesticide companies over public health and environmental protection.
Marc Fawcett-Atkinson reports for National Observer.
In short:
- Established in 1995 within Health Canada, the PMRA took on pesticide oversight but brought along biases from its roots in Agriculture Canada, which historically leaned toward industry interests.
- Since 2020, critics have pointed to collusion between the PMRA and pesticide companies, such as Bayer, including attempts to raise acceptable levels of pesticide residues on food.
- A recent $42 million government initiative aimed to improve PMRA transparency and public accountability, though advocates argue that reforms have not gone far enough.
Key quote:
“It's like pesticides have constitutional rights and they are innocent until proven guilty.”
— Elizabeth May, federal Green Party leader
Why this matters:
Canada’s pesticide regulatory system has significant implications for public health and environmental sustainability, yet critics argue industry influence hinders protective measures. Addressing these issues could align Canada’s pesticide regulations more closely with global standards prioritizing health and environmental safety.
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