Linuron is a selective systemic herbicide registered for the control of annual and perennial broadleaf and grassy weeds in a wide range of cultivated crops, including potatoes.
Health Canada recently completed a re-evaluation of linuron. Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada has determined that continued registration of products containing linuron is acceptable in a handful of crops, including potatoes.
To protect human health from exposure, Health Canada announced specific risk-reduction measures which are required for uses with continued registration (for carrots, parsnip, potato, asparagus and shelterbelts). One of these specifies that pre-emergent application of linuron on potatoes is limited to a maximum annual rate of 1.78 kg a.i/ha.
To protect mixers/loaders and applicators, Health Canada specifies increased personal protective equipment (PPE), addition of engineering controls (closed mixing loading and closed cab application), and restrictions on some types of application equipment.
Full details of Health Canada’s Re-evaluation Decision can be found on its website here.
Source: Health Canada
Photo: Courtesy The Guardian, Prince Edward Island
