Health Canada extends deadline of public consultation on higher herbicide concentrations in certain foods

MONTREAL -

Canadians can now comment on the federal government’s proposal to increase the amount of glyphosate herbicide residue allowed on legumes until Sept. 3, Health Canada announced Tuesday — up 45 days from the original July 20 deadline.

“This [extension] is based on the level of interest and number of received to date, in addition to delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the Health Canada website.

Glyphosate, commonly sold under the brand name Roundup, is sometimes sprayed on crops in order to accelerate their harvest; by killing the crop, glyphosate causes grains and legumes to dry out more quickly. The practice is increasingly common in provinces such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

But the herbicide may be linked to cancer and environmental harm — although the extent of these risks is inconclusive.

Under the proposed change in regulations, traces of glyphosate residue on food may be up to three times higher than the current maximum allows, depending on the food.

• READ MORE: Higher concentrations of controversial herbicide glyphosate may soon be on your plate: here's why

Beans will go up from a tolerance of four to 16, and lentils from four to ten.

Health Canada usually gives the public 75 days to comment on proposed changes to pesticide and herbicide use in the country. The deadline was extended after reports from CTV Montreal and Radio-Canada reported on the glyphosate proposal earlier this week.

To comment on Health Canada’s proposal, please click here.

NOTE: A previous version of this story said that the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for glyphosate were increasing in wheat, barley and oats. Health Canada has since clarified that MRLs are not changing for these foods — rather, the government is changing the terminology for wheat, barley and oat by-products, which is why these foods were included in the consultation. The article has been adjusted accordingly.