What's New
Avoid late season off-label herbicide use to protect our grains industry
Grain Producers Australia (GPA), Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) and Syngenta have released a factsheet warning of the risks associated with the illegal, off-label use of paraquat late in wheat, barley and canola crops – namely, unacceptable residue violations.
Late season herbicide use reminds growers of the importance of using chemicals according to label directions and ensuring that harvested crops are free from unacceptable residues. DPI urges all Victorian cereal, grain, pulse and oilseed growers to read this timely reminder and help secure market access for the future.
Updates to the AgVet Act
Some minor amendments have been made to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 to improve its administration and enforcement.
As of 1 September 2012, the following new amendments came into operation:
- A mechanism now exists to return suspended or cancelled licences and permits issued under the Act to the Department if required.
- There has been an increase in the maximum allowable penalty for infringement notices from 2 to 5 penalty units (this does not increase the value of any infringement penalties, just the ability for them to be increased in the future).
- The gap in the legislation regarding the sale of stock that have consumed agricultural produce harvested within the withholding period has now been closed.
- Other administrative and technical amendments have been made.
Copies of the Act are available from Information Victoria, Level 20, 80 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 or from www.legislation.vic.gov.au
Bees and pesticides guide out now
Honeybee Pesticide Poisoning – A risk management tool for Australian farmers and beekeepers is now available for download from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) website, www.rirdc.gov.au/pollination
The guide lists 349 broadacre and horticultural pesticides that are toxic to honeybees and will assist chemical users when planning their pest control programs this season.
Nufarm Dichlorvos 1140 Insecticide now unregistered
The two year phase out period for Nufarm Dichlorvos 1140 Insecticide ended on 30 June 2012. Prior to being deregistered, the product was used to control insects infesting stored cereal grain on-farm.
Resellers are advised that it is now an offence to supply Nufarm Dichlorvos 1140 Insecticide to customers. As the product is no longer registered, it is also illegal for individuals to continue using it.
Individuals who have this product in their possession are advised to dispose of it safely via a chemical disposal program such as ChemClear. Visit www.chemclear.com.au for details.
Registration of methamidaphos insecticides cancelled
Following the voluntary cancellation of insecticides containing methamidaphos on 15 June 2012, tomato growers and spray contractors are advised they can only purchase and use Nitofol® Insecticide Spray and Monitor® Insecticide until 15 June 2014.
There are a wide variety of alternative products available to growers for controlling green peach aphid, tomato grub, tobacco leafminer and common brown jassid. Speak to your local chemical reseller or agronomist for replacement options.
Diuron suspended until 30 November 2012
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has extended the suspension of certain diuron registered products until 30 November 2012.
Diuron is a herbicide/algaecide used for the control of both broadleaf and grass weeds in agriculture. It is also used to control weeds and algae in, and around water bodies.
The suspension addresses the risk of diuron run-off into waterways, prohibiting use in a range of situations such as irrigation channels and drains in agricultural and industrial situations.
Instructions for the use of suspended products have been re-issued, which are the same as those issued in November 2011 except for use in tropical situations, which will be allowed because it is outside the no spray window defined in the original suspension. Possession and use in certain situations can continue until this date provided diuron products carry the new instructions for use.
Cancellation of products containing parathion-methyl
Pome, citrus and stone fruit growers have until 26 July 2013 to use existing stocks of products containing parathion-methyl following the voluntary cancellation of its registration by the approval holder over health risks posed to workers and concerns of its toxicity to bees.DPI has developed a new factsheet relevant to pome, citrus and stone fruit growers called Cancellation of products containing parathion-methyl, which outlines the cancellation of products containing parathion-methyl and lists the products affected.
Full details of the parathion-methyl review and the voluntary cancellation of the active constituent are available from the APVMA website, http://www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/current/parathion_methyl.php
Changes to spray drift management requirements explained
DPI has produced a new fact sheet that explains how the APVMA spray drift policy framework, APVMA Operating Principles in Relation to Spray Drift Risk will affect growers.
Changes to spray drift management requirements explains label changes, APVMA identified sensitive areas, the Drift Reducing Technology (DRT) Incentives Program and when no-spray zone statements apply.
Lettuce classification made easy
Recent contact with lettuce growers has made DPI aware that there is some confusion regarding how growers classify their lettuce and salad mix commodities in terms of maximum residue limits (MRLs).
Crops such as mizuna and chard, for example, may be classified as different commodities and as such, may have different MRLs.
As growers must meet the relevant MRLs, they may need to change their chemical use as not all lettuce or other commodities grown for salad mix should be treated with the same chemical as this may result in unacceptable residues. This is particularly the case if there is no relevant MRL for the crop being treated with a particular chemical, as there must be no detectable residue in the commodity.
DPI has produced a lettuce classification guide to help outline how different salad mix commodities are classified under MRL standards.
Lettuce classifications can be used to ensure growers meet MRL standards for the commodity they grow.
Temperature inversions explained
Many new agricultural chemical product labels specifically forbid spraying during temperature inversion conditions.
The APVMA has introduced a new webpage titled Surface inversions for Australian agricultural regions. It shows chemical users how to assess when temperature inversion conditions are present and helps them to recognise times when inversions are likely to form.
Understanding chemical pesticide labels
The APVMA has developed an educational poster and brochure to help chemical users identify and understand the warnings and instructions on pesticide chemical labels.
Both the poster and brochure are available for download from the APVMA Understanding pesticide labels page.
Guide to using agricultural chemicals
DPI has released the new and improved Guide to using agricultural chemicals in Victoria in print format.
Replacing the dated Code of practice for farm chemical spray application, this brochure provides chemical users with practical guidelines for the safe and effective use of agricultural chemicals in Victoria.
To receive a copy, contact deann.chy@dpi.vic.gov.au
Top 10 spraying tips
Chemical Standards has produced a brochure, Top 10 spraying tips to help ensure your chemical spraying is as effective and safe as possible.
The brochure covers planning, reading the label, checking use restrictions, managing resistance build up, knowing your equipment, buffer zones, droplet size, talking to your neighbours, monitoring weather conditions and keeping records. There's also suggestions for sources of more information.
The brochure is also available from the Publications page.
