Money and our Market…why we pay the price

I was doing a small review of products available through the EPA registrations versus PMRA’s and the difference is a bit staggering.  I began to cuss under my breath that the government is the problem, but realized it is a combination of 3 factors that impedes the amount of tools we have available.

Yes, the PMRA requirements do play a part.  We’ve all argued about a roach in Buffalo being no different than a roach in Toronto.  Or certain data being re-generated.  But it’s a requirement of doing business in Canada.  Strike one.

But there is a secondary factor…our market is too small for some suppliers to invest in.  Simple.  If I have $100.00 to invest, the smallest ROI for that is probably the Canadian Pest Control Industry.  The Canadian canola market probably consumes $200,000,000 in pesticide revenues…why spend the money for a roach bait that may be $250,000?  Notice the zeroes???

So suppliers can meet the requirements, but the requirements are sometimes questionable, and expensive.  Strike two.

Lastly, do we as an industry really make our needs, wants and voices heard?  Curious how many sent a comment in on the boric acid review process?  Or have taken an active role in community education?  Or joined an association?  (more on the value of that later)

How about showing more support to new products and ideas?  Might be a way to enourage some new suppliers.

But the end result is the same…we don’t have the wealth of tools available to our counter-parts in the US.  Maybe we have to change our offering?  Partial control of a problem?  No guarantees?

“Sorry Ma’am, I only have the tools to kill 85% of your bed bugs today”

But does this now mean less revenue?  So you only charge 85%???

Strike three?