The chemical fenthion has been under review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and was recently approved for use on olives (one year only) for the control of Olive Lace Bug. The APVMA have released the2012 Fenthion Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment Report as part of its review process, which concludes that exposures to chemical residues remaining on certain treated produce are above the relevant health standard. Therefore, the APVMA proposes to suspend certain fenthion products as an interim regulatory action while it completes further assessment, unless the AOA can ‘show cause’ as to why the proposed action should not be taken. Mike Baker, head of the AOA’s Chemical Permit’s Committee, is currently looking at options, including the likelihood that a cheaper effective chemical may be able to be registered for the control of Olive Lace Bug.
