Fourth, concern was expressed about the fact that the opinions of stakeholders were not being brought to me and the senior management of PMRA on a continuing basis. Second, I will convene, in April, the first ever meeting of a permanent Pest Management Advisory Council. That group, made up of representatives from industry, producers, environmental and consumer groups, will discuss practical and policy issues relating to pest management in a frank and open way. While all these initiatives will help, there is still much to do. One subject that has significant implications for Canadian farmers is the international harmonization of pesticide regulation.
Harmonization is much more than an efficiency measure for government and industry.
It will speed up the regulatory process, providing faster access to newer and more sustainable products. It will also level the playing field for Canadian farmers who must beat out foreign competitors in world markets. The need to harmonize is clear. After all, it is very difficult for potato farmers in New Brunswick who don't have access to a pesticide that their competitors across the border in Maine are using. Or when apple growers in the Okanagan Valley are looking in vain for a pest control product that is readily available in Washington State.