Spring
2016
Grains
West
38
The ongoing issue with Manipulator
is a perfect example of where the time
lag between registration and MRL
establishment caused a major headache
for western Canadian farmers.
Manipulator, distributed by Guelph-
based Engage Agro, is registered for use
in Canada. However, the product does
not yet have an MRL in one major market:
the United States. This missing MRL
with a major trading partner prompted
an alert to growers in 2015: check with
your buyer before using the product,
as many exporters were not going to
accept grain treated with Manipulator,
and all elevators asked farmers to sign a
declaration regarding its use.
Dahl said that while the MRL issue is a
complex one internationally, there really
are two simple ways to avoid a major
issue. “Always read and follow label
directions and, if there’s any doubt on
the use of a product, check with your
buyer first,” he said.
For example, while glyphosate has
established MRLs in Canada and most
of our markets, going in too early on
a pre-harvest application could result
in higher-than-acceptable levels of
residue. This is because the chemical
can migrate into the grain if the kernel
is still maturing. Going in too early for
pre-harvest application is going off-label
and puts the resulting grain at risk of
exceeding set MRLs.
TRADE, TARIFFS AND TECHNICALITIES
Gord Kurbis, director of market access
and trade policy for Pulse Canada, is
hopeful the MRL issue is one that the
Canadian grain industry can get in
front of.
“MRLs set at zero aren’t necessarily
compatible with trade,” Kurbis said.
What’s more, exporters are often the
entity that bears the risk of an exceeded
MRL, but they’re not the ones with any
control over the use of products or the
establishment of MRLs. “Overall, farmers
and industry are doing the right things,”
Kurbis said, but there needs to be
reasonable, predictable ways and means
of dealing with MRLs.
MRL MASTERS:
(Top) Daniel Bockru analyzes pesticide residues on grain at the
Canadian Grain Commission using techniques such as gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. (Bottom) Michael Tran
prepares samples for pesticide residue analysis.
Photos:MelissaFinchof theCanadianGrainCommission
