As part of the ongoing Hort Innovation multi-industry project MT17019 – Regulatory Support and Coordination, the February 2020 Ag Chemical Update has been published and is now available. The update provides a summary of various regulatory issues and chemical reviews currently underway both locally and internationally.
Of specific note are:
National – Australia
APVMA chemical reviews: In late 2019 the APVMA sought submissions on critical uses and work rates for a number of compounds currently under review – 2,4-D, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, diquat, fenitrothion, fipronil, malathion (maldison), methidathion, neomycin, paraquat and procymidone.
Following further industry engagement, it appears that with chlorpyrifos in particular, occupational health and safety is a major area of concern.
New products/uses: A number of applications for registrations and label extensions have occurred in recent months.
International
New Zealand: New Zealand Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently indicated that “grounds exist to reassess approvals of substances containing neonicotinoids used in New Zealand”. It was indicated that the New Zealand decision for reassessment aligned with the recently announced review planned review of neonicotinoid use in Australia by the APVMA.
Europe: a number of compounds have been proposed or approved for non-renewal or restricted renewal in the EU. These include thiacloprid, outdoor uses of malathion and chlorpyrifos.
USA: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its Proposed Interim Decisions (PID) for the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin/thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, including five proposed measures for management and restricted usage.
The US EPA also finalised its review of glyphosate and concluded that it is not a carcinogen, with no risks of concern to human health when glyphosate is used according to the label.
Read the full details here.
