PMRA Fee Increase Proposal Paused – But Concerns Remain

On March 21st, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency announced that a pause on the final publication of the Regulations Amending the Pest Control Products Fees and Charges Regulations (fee proposal). This decision allows time for further consultation and proper consideration of stakeholder feedback.

Alberta Grains, together with other industry groups like the Canadian Grains Council (CGC), to which we are member, have been vocal in their concerns about the PMRA’s fee proposal, calling for a more thorough analysis regarding the potential impacts of this proposal in potentially reducing access to critical crop protection product innovation for Canadian growers while increasing costs.

While the pause on the cost recovery proposal is positive, it is a temporary reprieve and industry groups are continuing to advocate for a movement away from the Transformation Agenda as a whole, creating regulatory barriers that drive innovation in Canada at a time when agriculture is facing threats from our trading partners.

It is critical that farmers voice concerns that the PMRA continues to be more focused on transformation then fulfilling their core role as a regulator to holdup Canada’s reputation for a robust, world-class, science and risk-based regulatory system.