Canadian regulatory considerations: Managing and mitigating pest resistance to novel insecticidal traits

Before plants with novel insecticidal traits can be commercially grown in Canada, they must undergo an environmental safety assessment. The authorizations of plants with novel insecticidal traits are conditional on the implementation of approved insect resistance management (IRM plans). IRM plans are designed to delay targeted insects from becoming resistant to insect control traits. Each IRM plan details the strategies that allow these plants to be used safely and sustainably and includes measures to mitigate resistance once developed. Plants expressing Bt proteins targeting European corn borer have been authorized for release in Canada for over 25 years. Recently, cases of Bt resistance in European Corn Borer have been reported in Canada. Considerations for the management and mitigation of pest resistance to plant-expressed insecticidal proteins will be discussed.