Cancellation of Products containing Parathion-Methyl
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has cancelled the registration of all parathion-methyl products available for use in Australia.
These product cancellations are the result of the registrant of the parathion-methyl active constituent requesting its cancellation.
A two-year phase out period, ending on 26 July 2013, applies to the supply and use of existing stock of parathion-methyl products.
Parathion-methyl was under review by the APVMA due to concerns over its high toxicity to bees; association with worker poisonings overseas, during end use and upon re-entry; high worker exposure scenarios; and high potential acute and chronic toxicity risk.
Due to the cancellation of the active constituent the review is no longer necessary; however the APVMA plans to publish its findings-to-date in the Parathion-Methyl Final Review Report in October 2011.
Continued use of parathion-methyl products after 26 July 2013 may result in treated fruit being classified as contaminated (under Section 52AA of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Control of Use) Act 1992).
It is an offence to sell contaminated produce, and those continuing to use the chemical after the phase out period will also have committed a second offence of using an unregistered chemical.
Current users of parathion-methyl products need to discuss alternative chemical options with their industry representative and local resellers.
Parathion-methyl products
The APVMA has either obtained voluntary cancellations, or cancelled the registration and associated label approvals of the following products:
- Farmoz Parathion-methyl 500 insecticide (Product No. 39719)
- Campbell Penncap-M Flowable Microencapsulated Insecticide (Product No. 40500)
- Parashoot CS Insecticide (Product No. 47674)
- Parashoot 500 EC Insecticide (Product No. 48441)
The phase-out for use and supply of these products will end on 26 July 2013.
Product cancellation reminder
On 30 June 2011 the phase-out for the parathion-methyl products Folidol M500 Insecticide Spray and Folidol 450 CS Insecticide ended.
Since 30 June 2011, it is an offence under Section 6 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Control of Use) Act 1992 to use either of these two products for any purpose.
For full details of the parathion-methyl review and the voluntary cancellation of the active constituent, please refer to the APVMA website
