The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for Switch fungicide for control of anthracnose (leaf curl) on celery in Canada. Switch fungicide was already labeled for use on a number of crops in Canada for control of several diseases.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for Confine Extra fungicide for suppression of bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonos campestris pv vitians) in Canada. Confine Extra fungicide was already labeled for use on a number of crops in Canada for several different diseases.

The Grower provides an update on a notice of registration activity. Exirel received minor use label expansion (URMULE) registration for control of aphids and the suppression of thrips in strawberries and the control of black vine weevil, obscure root weevil, spotted wing drosophila and Japanese beetle in caneberries in Canada.

Two insecticides have recently been registered for emergency use on spotted wing drosophila (SWD) on berry crops (crop group 13-07) and stone fruits (crop group 12) in Ontario.

Saskatchewan Party leader and premier Brad Wall announced on social media that he plans to step down.

The Ontario Greenhouse Growers (OGVG) announced that Joe Sbrocchi will move into the general manager role, effective Sept. 18th, 2017.  Sbrocchi is coming from Mastronardi Produce Ltd., located in Kingsville, Ont., where he has acted as vice president of business development and strategy since 2010.

As of August 1, Binkley Apples has been renamed Blue Mountain Fruit Company.  The rebranding is part of the evolution of the Botden family’s business plan.

Glen Murray resigned his post as Ontario’s minister of the environment and climate change on July 31, leaving his successor to implement the transition to a low-carbon economy through the cap-and-trade program. The provincial Liberals have appointed Chris Ballard to the post, with the view that he can stickhandle the sensitive environment file until the June 2018 election. He leaves the ministry of housing for the challenging portfolio that includes everything from energy to water.

The Toronto Star broke the news late Sunday that Ontario’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray was planning to quit provincial politics. It became official when Murray announced his intensions Monday morning. In a statement, Murray said he would resign as Toronto-Centre MPP on September 1st.