Glyphosate MRLs may be increased in Canada

In May, Health Canada proposed increasing the maximum residue levels of glyphosate for commodities such as oats, lentils, peas and beans. Canadians had 75 days to comment on the changes. The consultation period ended July 20. For certain crops, the proposed MRLs are higher than previous levels. The Canadian Organic Trade Association said this is a move in the “wrong direction.” In a release, COTA said the MRLs would increase to 35 parts per million from 15 for groats, rolled oats and oat bran, to 10 p.p.m. from four for lentils, to 10 from five for peas and to 15 from four for beans. The MRL will be 15 p.p.m. for barley bran, pearled barley, wheat germ and wheat bran. The suggested changes will affect Canada’s organic sector because its protocol is based on five percent of the MRL. “(This proposal) means that organic products will have an increased allowance of glyphosate permitted,” COTA said. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most popular herbicide in the ...