CropLife Canada response to 2024 federal budget
OTTAWA - While CropLife Canada was pleased to see funding related to pesticides in the 2024 federal budget, we request that this funding be allocated to support the core science work of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and to the national water monitoring program, which will improve scientific decision making around pesticides.
Unfortunately, this two-year funding does not provide a signal to either the PMRA or the plant science industry that there is a long-term, sustainable funding strategy to support the important and growing work of reviewing and approving pesticides in Canada. The government has an opportunity to recognize the critical role agriculture plays as an economic engine in this country and provide the support needed to unleash its full potential.
The plant science industry is committed to developing innovative tools for farmers to help them sustainably grow food for Canadians and the world. But, to effectively bring new innovations to Canada, we need clear signals from government about the predictability and timeliness of the regulatory process. Without the proper funding, the PMRA will not be able to deliver on its mandate and will be forced to pursue recently proposed cost recovery measures that would put an unfair burden on Canadian innovators and put Canada at a significant disadvantage compared to the U.S. when it comes to attracting innovation and investment.
It was positive to see language in the budget around the importance of increasing investment, enhancing productivity and encouraging innovation, all of which the agriculture industry can deliver in spades. Taking timely action to improve the efficiency and predictability of the pesticide regulatory system and finalizing updated policy guidance for plant breeding innovation are both no-cost measures that will allow the agriculture sector to directly support the government’s stated objectives.
CropLife Canada will continue to advocate for timely, predictable and science-based regulatory approaches for plant science innovations that support our industry’s ability to bring safe and effective tools to Canadian farmers.