Features Production Research
Blossom Protect approved for fireblight

January 29, 2013 – The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of Blossom Protect (Aureobasidium pullulans strains DSM14940 and DSM14941) for first time registration in Canada.

Uses approved on the first Canadian label are for the control of fire blight on bearing and non-bearing pome fruit, and for suppression of fireblight on woody rosaceae ornamentals. 

In its review, the PMRA concluded that Blossom Protect was statistically comparable to or better than other registered products for the management of fireblight in Canada.

Fireblight caused by Erwinia amylovora has been one of the most challenging problems for pome fruit and ornamental growers in Canada for many years, and the registration of Blossom Protect will provide growers with an alternative to currently used antibiotics, thus enabling effective resistance management and reducing pesticide risk.

This registration was facilitated by the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program (PRRP), which contributed to preparations for a pre-submission consultation meeting, provided advice on administrative and regulatory matters, and developed a bridging rationale for the inclusion of ornamental crops on the label.