Ministry of Agriculture
Food, Crop & Livestock Safety
Restrictions
Restrictions are put on pesticide labels to make sure crops are safe to eat and that future crops will not be affected by pesticide residues. Common types of label restrictions include harvesting restrictions, slaughtering restrictions, grazing restrictions, and replanting restrictions.
- Harvesting Restrictions
- Slaughtering Restrictions
- Milking Restrictions
- Grazing Restrictions
- Replanting Restrictions
Harvesting Restrictions
Harvesting restrictions state when a crop can be harvested after a pesticide application. Research determines how long it takes for a pesticide to break down to below the maximum residue limit. This period is called the pre-harvest interval or days-before-harvest for crops. Pesticide labels state the days-before-harvest (pre-harvest interval). BC Crop Production Guides may also list the days-before-harvest. These pre-harvest times apply to the pesticide rate stated on the label. If a pesticide is applied at a different rate or to a different crop, the pre-harvest time may not apply. Pre-harvest intervals for crops grown out doors also vary from crops grown under cover (i.e. greenhouses, tunnels) as the rate of degradation depends on light and temperature. Check and follow pesticide labels to make sure harvested crops do not have pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit. Click on this sentence to search for a Canadian pesticide label.
Slaughtering Restrictions
Slaughtering restrictions state when an animal can be slaughtered after a pesticide application. For example a label may say Leave a seven day interval between last spray and slaughter. This time period allows a pesticide to break down to below the maximum residue limit in the animal and is determined by research. This period is called a pre-slaughter interval. Pesticide labels state the required pre-slaughter interval. The interval on a pesticide label applies to the pesticide rate and type of livestock stated on the label. If a pesticide is applied at a different rate or to a different type of animal, the pre-slaughter interval may not be appropriate. Check and follow pesticide labels to make sure meat does not have pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit. Click on this sentence to search for a Canadian pesticide label.
Milking Restrictions
Milking restrictions state when or if a dairy cow can be milked after it has been treated with a pesticide. For example, Do not apply within 30 days of freshening or Do not apply before milking. Since pesticides applied to dairy cows can move into milk, pesticide labels may have milking restrictions to make sure milk does not contain pesticide residues. The interval on a pesticide label applies to the pesticide rate and type of animal stated on the label. If a pesticide is applied at a different rate or to a different type of animal, the milking restrictions may not be appropriate. Check and follow pesticide labels to make sure milk does not have pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit. Click on this sentence to search for a Canadian pesticide label.
Grazing Restrictions
Grazing restrictions are designed to protect animals and to ensure pesticide residues will not exceed the maximum residue limits in milk or meat products. Grazing restrictions state when animals are allowed to graze an area treated with pesticides. For example, a label may say: "Allow 3 to 5 days for the herbicide to translocate into all plant parts before grazing." Other labels may prohibit grazing treated crops. For example, a label may say: Do not graze the treated crops or cut for hay; sufficient data are not available to support such a use. Check pesticide labels before applying the pesticide to make sure the timing is compatible with your grazing plans. Click on this sentence to search for a Canadian pesticide label.
Discuss pesticide applications with neighbours when the label has grazing restrictions and their grazing animals may be able to reach/eat treated plants along the fence line.
Replanting Restrictions
Replanting restrictions state when, and what crop can be planted on land that has had a certain pesticide used on it. The replanting restrictions protect future crops from phytotoxic effects caused by pesticide residues in soil and also protect consumers by helping ensure future crops will not contain pesticide resides above the maximum reside limits. An example of a replanting restriction is: "Rotation of fields treated with this insecticide to wheat is acceptable after a minimum plant-back interval of 30 days and to beans after a minimum of 9 months. Rotation to all other food and feed crops require a 12 month plant back interval." Other times the label may list the crops that can be grown safely the following year.
Replanting restrictions are typically only found on a few labels. They can be found under several different topics including: following crops, rotational crop restrictions or replanting, or re-cropping. When searching for replanting restrictions, search for all these topics. Click on this sentence to search for a Canadian pesticide label.