Farmers have slightly more than two months to place their orders for ClearOut 41 Plus through the 2006 Own Use Import program.
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has set a Sept. 30 deadline for import applications.
“This is to allow enough time so that we can process their applications properly,” said PMRA communications officer Jennifer Powroz.
She said it takes 30 days to process an application, so the deadline had to be set for Sept. 30 to allow farmers enough time to bring in product for late fall application before winter arrives.
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Farmers intending to import product for fall use should take into account the time it takes for applications to be received and approvals returned through Canada Post, as well as the time it takes to bring the herbicide across the border.
“There are a number of factors that should be considered, not the least of which is it takes 30 days once we receive it,” Powroz said.
As of July 19 the agency had approved 2,442 applications for 4.9 million litres of product, well above last year’s pace of 2,031 permits for 3.4 million litres of ClearOut 41 Plus.
By the end of 2005 the agency had approved 3,146 permits for 5.75 million litres of the chemical.
“It was never anticipated that this program would deal with this volume of product,” stated the recently released Own-Use Import Task Force Report.
The widespread use of the program prompted the formation of a task force that has proposed a number of reforms related to the registration and importation of farm chemicals.
There are also small administrative changes to keep in mind for this year’s OUI program, Powroz said.
A 90-page English and French booklet on how to properly use the product is no longer required as part of the submission.
And for those farmers who have already completed a successful application in 2006, there is no need to submit the bilingual sticker and label; just the import form/permit is required.
Farmers should also remember one of their primary obligations under the rules of the OUI program, said Powroz.
“We would like to remind the importers they are still responsible for proper container disposal. That hasn’t changed in any way.”
