Frozen transportation services for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) crop samples – AAFC Pest Management Centre (PMC)

The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a requirement for the provision of frozen transportation of approximately 250-300 field research crop samples from multiple research sites in Western Canada to analytical laboratories in Ontario in compliance with the requirements of OECD Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). The work will involve the following: collection of identified frozen samples from identified field research sites located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; maintenance of temperatures below freezing during transport; delivery of samples to the identified analytical laboratories in Ontario; completion of specified documentation in compliance with the requirements of GLP. This service is required once annually (Oct-Nov) for a period of three years.

Through the Minor Use Pesticide Program (MUPP), AAFC conducts 30-40 pesticide residue studies annually with 150-200 individual trials located at OECD Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) accredited AAFC research centres and private research companies across Canada. Crop samples generated from the trials must be analyzed to determine the level of pesticide residues at GLP accredited analytical laboratories, including PMC’s Residue Chemistry Laboratory located in Vineland, Ontario.

In order to maintain sample integrity prior to analysis, crop samples must be frozen and maintained frozen at all time, including during transport from field sites to laboratories. Integrity of the frozen samples is an essential component of GLP. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) requires research trials for the determination of pesticide residues to be conducted in compliance with GLP requirements for the purposes of obtaining registration of pesticide products in Canada.