Northwest Horticultural Council

Country Alerts

Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to Enforce 0.1 ppm MRL for Ethephon Beginning September 24, 2023

Canada first announced a maximum residue level (MRL) reduction for Ethephon (tradenames Ethrel® and Motivate®) in November 2020. A grace period of three years was established before Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) would begin the enforcement for the MRL reduction from 3 ppm to 0.1 ppm. This grace period ends September 24, 2023. Apples being shipped to Canada must meet the new MRL of 0.1 ppm for Ethephon starting September 24.

Management programs that include applications of Ethephon during the 2023 season are advised to take measures to meet the 0.1 ppm MRL limit for Ethephon for all apples shipped to Canada.

4/24/2023