Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has initiated a consultation on a proposal to revoke the maximum residue limit (MRL) for tebuconazole on grapes. If finalized, the legal MRL for tebuconazole on grapes in Canada would decrease from 5.0 ppm to the general MRL (GMRL) of 0.1 ppm, applying to all grapes entering the Canadian market, including imports.
PMRA will hold a 75-day consultation period, allowing stakeholders to respond to the proposal. The consultation is open until April 13, 2025.
Tebuconazole use and regulatory concerns
Tebuconazole is a fungicide used across various crops. In Canada, it is primarily registered for field crops and some seed treatments. Currently, PMRA has established MRLs for tebuconazole on 97 food commodities, including both domestically grown and imported crops.
Following a re-evaluation, PMRA identified human health risks associated with dietary exposure and grape consumption, prompting the proposed revocation of the 5.0 ppm MRL. If revoked, Canada's default general MRL of 0.1 ppm would apply to all grapes, including imports.
Impact on trade and U.S. exports
The proposed change could significantly affect grape imports. In contrast, the current U.S. tolerance for tebuconazole on grapes is 6 ppm (under crop subgroup 13-07F).
Canada is the largest export market for U.S. grapes, both fresh and dried. In MY 2023/24, 30% of U.S. grape exports (by value) were destined for Canada, totaling USD 236 million.
Canada's domestic table grape production is minimal, with most consumer demands met through imports. If the MRL is lowered, importers and exporters may need to adjust their compliance strategies to continue accessing the Canadian market.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: press@usda.gov
www.usda.gov