The CHC Crop Protection Advisory Committee submitted a response to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) Proposed Re-evaluation Decision for Captan (PRVD2016-13) on July 29, 2016. This response was based on the results of grower surveys that were distributed through the provincial CHC member organizations. Surveys were conducted in five crop sectors: pome fruit, tender fruit, berries, grapes and vegetables and potatoes. Information regarding Captan use including application rates, number of applications, timing of applications, post-application field activities and the use of personal protective equipment was gathered.
    

Grower response was excellent with more than 300 surveys returned. The summarized survey data was provided to the PMRA with the request that this information be used to revise their risk assessments based on actual grower use of Captan rather than on the unrealistic assumptions PMRA used in the original risk assessments. The use of grower survey data in the risk assessments should result in more favourable outcomes and reverse the proposed re-evaluation to discontinue most uses of Captan in Canada.
    

The response to the Captan consultation was the final response to the seven PMRA proposed re-evaluation decisions for multi-site-mode-of-action (Group-M) fungicides published over the past three years. All proposed decisions either proposed discontinuation of all uses (mancozeb, metiram, ferbam, ziram, thiram) or the discontinuation of most uses and significant restriction on the limited remaining uses (chlorothalonil, captan). The devastating outcome of these proposed decisions, if not amended based on consultation, would be that growers would have no practical options to control resistant pathogen populations where already present or to prevent the development of resistance where it does not currently exist.

New Brunswick hosts mid-summer apple meeting
    
    

The CHC Mid-Summer Apple Meeting was held on July 26 & 27, 2016 in Moncton, NB.  The event was hosted by the Apple Growers of New Brunswick. 
    

The working session included discussions on market situations and trends, research and innovation strategies and priorities, National Apple Planting and Replant Program Opportunity, Ministerial Exemptions, and HS Codes for Honeycrisp. 
    

The July 27 orchard tour included stops at:
• Master Packaging (Dieppe, NB)
• Verger Belliveau Orchard (Memramcook, NB)
• La Fleur du Pommier (Cocagne Sud, NB)

The 2017 Mid-Summer Apple Meeting and tour will be held in Quebec.