Mission
The main purpose of the Canadian Biological Control Review Committee (BCRC) is to provide science-based advice and recommendations concerning petitions for the first release in Canada of non-indigenous biological control agents (BCA) that are presented to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)Footnote 1.
Background
The CFIA regulates BCAs under the Plant Protection Act; requirements are detailed in CFIA's plant protection directive D-12-02: Import requirements for potentially injurious organisms (other than plants) to prevent the importation of plant pests in Canada. This directive describes BCAs as potentially injurious organisms used to control other organisms considered to be pests. BCAs may be insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, viruses or nematodes that may be directly or indirectly injurious to plant health.
All non-indigenous BCAs require approval from the CFIA before their first release into the Canadian environment. Petitions must consider potential risks to the environment and economy in Canada, and follow criteria provided in the North American Plant Protection Organization's Regional Standards for Phytosanitary Measures:
- RSPM 07: Guidelines for Petition for First Release of Non-indigenous Phytophagous Biological Control Agents, and
- RSPM 12: Guidelines for Petition for First Release of Non-indigenous Entomophagous Biological Control Agents
While decisions of the CFIA are based on plant health impacts, the BCRC also considers impacts on humans and vertebrates as called for by RSPM 7 and 12. The results of the petition process may therefore trigger the regulatory oversight of other federal authorities.
Membership
The BCRC is composed of representatives from the following federal departments and agencies with mandates related to plant health or environmental protection (the "member organizations"):
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Pest Management Regulatory Agency – Health Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
Ad-hoc participation
To ensure appropriate expertise (such as in taxonomy) or account for local or regional implications, other persons may be invited to participate in a review process. This could include representatives from academia, industry or federal or provincial government departments and agencies.
Roles and responsibilities
a. Member organizations
Member organizations shall designate a contact person to represent their organizations on the BCRC. In response to a request to review a petition, contact persons will designate a person with the appropriate expertize from within their respective organizations that will:
- review the petition from their organization's perspective on biological control and applicable regulatory authorities
- evaluate risks to plant health and the environment, in particular as measured against the criteria provided in the RSPMs 7 and 12
- provide written recommendations to the BCRC Secretary before the deadline
b. Specific to each member
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Administers and enforces the Plant Protection Act
- Ensures the functioning of the BCRC, including by appointing and communicating with its chair (or A/chair) and by appointing its secretary (upon recommendation of the chair)
- Provides the BCRC with submitted petitions for their review and recommendations
- Considers the recommendations of the BCRC when making determinations concerning the proposed first releases of BCAs in Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Supports the biocontrol-related mandate of federal authorities by enabling personnel to serve as chair and secretary (upon appointment) and providing resources that facilitate the function of the BCRC
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
- Considers Pest Control Product Act provisions, particularly as they pertain to human health, environment and value
Natural Resources Canada
- Supports the biocontrol-related mandate of federal authorities by providing resources that facilitate the function of the BCRC
c. Administrative functions
Chair
- Receives from the CFIA and acknowledges receipt of petitions and proposed lists of non-target species (test plants or other organisms) to be tested
- Reviews the petition or proposed test list, and determines the need for reviewers outside of the Member organizations
- Helps build consensus among reviewers, and as needed, may call meetings with interested parties to discuss petitions or related processes
- Reviews the recommendations of the member organizations and provides a consolidated recommendation to the CFIA
- Maintains records of the BCRC recommendations
Secretary
- Provides reviewers with the petition and test plant lists, along with a deadline for review (normally 1 month)
- Receives and compiles reviews of petitions and test plant lists and forwards to the Chair
- Facilitates the distribution of petitions and test plant lists to member organizations
- Maintains a filing system and performs other archival functions for the BCRC
- Receives and responds to requests to extend review deadlines
Process assumptions
The BCRC interprets a member's or other party's lack of response to a petition as acknowledgment that they have no need to be involved.
If a member or other party does not provide comments or request an extension to the designated deadline, the BCRC interprets this to mean the member or party does not oppose the petition.
Review
These terms of reference will be subject to revision, as needed.