Canada has established maximum residue limits for Spidoxamat in agricultural products, ensuring compliance with international food safety standards. This action follows a proposed maximum residue limit notification that outlines residue thresholds for pesticide use in treated crops.
Canada Sets Spidoxamat Limits for Imported Crops
Importers must ensure agricultural products meet new residue thresholds.
What changed
Maximum residue limits established for Spidoxamat in agricultural products.
Formal notification issued proposing residue thresholds for food and treated crops.
Compliance with international standards required for all imported agricultural products.
Who it affects
Importers of agricultural products must ensure Spidoxamat residues are within established limits.
Food exporters to Canada must test products for Spidoxamat residues before shipment.
Compliance Answer: Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Spidoxamat in Canada
Canada has proposed Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for the pesticide spidoxamat in various agricultural commodities under the authority of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), a branch of Health Canada. These MRLs are established to ensure food safety compliance with domestic and international standards. Below is a structured analysis of the regulatory requirements, thresholds, and procedural timelines.
1. Regulatory Framework and Authority
The proposed MRLs for spidoxamat are governed by the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and its regulations, administered by the PMRA1. The PMRA is responsible for:
- Evaluating pesticide safety and efficacy.
- Setting residue limits to protect human health and the environment.
- Conducting public consultations on proposed MRLs1.
The proposed MRLs for spidoxamat were published as PMRL2025-27 on 18 November 2025, initiating a 60-day public comment period ending on 1 February 20261.
2. Proposed Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
The PMRA has proposed the following MRLs for spidoxamat in raw agricultural commodities (RACs) and processed commodities, measured in parts per million (ppm)1:
| Commodity Group | MRL (ppm) | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Stone fruits (crop group 12-09) | 1.5 | 1 |
| Small fruits vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit (crop subgroup 13-07F) | 1.0 | 1 |
| Citrus fruits (crop group 10) (revised) | 0.9 | 1 |
| Pistachios | 0.9 | 1 |
| Pome fruits (crop group 11-09) | 0.3 | 1 |
| Tree nuts (crop group 14-11, except almond and pistachio) | 0.01 | 1 |
Note:
- The commodities included in the listed crop groups/subgroups are defined on the1(https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/residue-chemistry-crop-groups.html)1.
- 1 ppm = 1 part per million1.
3. Regulatory Process and Timelines
The proposed MRLs follow a structured consultation and adoption process:
| Step | Action | Timeline | Authority | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication of Proposal | PMRA publishes PMRL2025-27 for public consultation. | 18 November 2025 | PMRA, Health Canada | 1 |
| Public Comment Period | Stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed MRLs. | 60 days (ends 1 February 2026) | PMRA | 1 |
| Adoption and Publication | PMRA finalizes and publishes the MRLs in the Canada Gazette. | Within 4–5 months of proposal publication (expected March–April 2026) | PMRA, Health Canada | 1 |
| Entry into Force | MRLs become legally binding. | On the date of adoption (expected March–April 2026) | PMRA | 1 |
Key Notes:
- The PMRA does not conform to an existing Codex Alimentarius or OIE standard for spidoxamat, as no relevant international standard was identified1.
- Comments must be submitted to Canada’s National Enquiry Point at Global Affairs Canada (contact details provided in Section 5)1.
4. Compliance Obligations
For Growers and Producers:
- Ensure spidoxamat residues in treated crops do not exceed the proposed MRLs1.
- Monitor crop groups/subgroups to apply the correct MRL (e.g., stone fruits vs. pome fruits)1.
- Maintain records of pesticide use to demonstrate compliance with MRLs.
For Importers/Exporters:
- Verify that imported/exported commodities comply with Canada’s MRLs for spidoxamat1.
- All trading partners are affected, as the MRLs apply universally1.
For Regulatory Authorities:
- The PMRA may conduct post-market monitoring to verify compliance with MRLs.
- Non-compliance may result in enforcement actions, including product recalls or penalties under the Pest Control Products Act.
5. Submission of Comments
Stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed MRLs by 1 February 2026 to:
- Canada’s National Enquiry Point
Global Affairs Canada Technical Barriers and Regulations Division 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel: +1 (343) 203-4273 Fax: +1 (613) 943-0346 Email: enquirypoint@international.gc.ca1
Electronic submissions can be made via the PMRA’s consultation portal:
- 1(https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/consultations/proposed-maximum-residue-limit/2025/spidoxamat/document.html)
- 1(https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-canada/services/securite-produits-consommation/pesticides-lutte-antiparasitaire/public/consultations/limites-maximales-residus-proposees/2025/spidoxamat/document.html)1.
6. Summary Answer
Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has proposed Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for spidoxamat in various agricultural commodities, including stone fruits (1.5 ppm), small vine-climbing fruits (1.0 ppm), and citrus fruits (0.9 ppm), among others1. These limits are published in PMRL2025-27 and are subject to a 60-day public consultation period ending 1 February 20261. The MRLs are expected to be adopted and published within 4–5 months of the proposal date (March–April 2026) and will apply to all trading partners1. Compliance with these limits is mandatory for growers, importers, and exporters under the Pest Control Products Act1. No relevant international standard (e.g., Codex) exists for spidoxamat, and the PMRA’s proposal does not deviate from any such standard1. Stakeholders may submit comments to Canada’s National Enquiry Point at Global Affairs Canada1.
Sources
- ↩ Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures – Notification – Canada – Pesticides – Residues – Spidoxamat https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SPS/NCAN1624.pdf&Open=True