Spur Throated Locusts and Chemical Use

The detection of immature and adult Spur Throated Locust (STL) in Victoria in the early months of 2011 is the first time the species has been recorded as breeding in the State. STL have the potential to damage horticultural and other crops, at levels as low as 1-3 adults per square metre, or 10-20 nymphs per square metre. However at this stage they are not in damaging plague proportions in Victoria.

Some damage has been reported to citrus and vines in Victoria and landholders may want to control them using chemicals to protect valuable crops. However they need to consider residue and witholding period issues associated with this spraying. Note: There is no obligation to treat spur throated locusts in Victoria.

Because this is the first time damaging populations have been recorded in the State, the range of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) registered and approved products for the control of STLs in Victoria is limited, and there are no approved uses of registered insecticides in Victoria.

All products proposed for STL control in Victoria, with the exception of the use of fipronil in pastures which are on label uses, are permitted off-label uses under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 (“the Act”) in Victoria, for which appropriate risk management has been undertaken to ensure they are efficacious against STLs, and that the potential risk of unacceptable residues in produce is effectively managed through reference to existing standards and processes.

Most uses are based on APVMA Permit 11843, which is current and held by the Department of Innovation and Investment, NSW. Some additional uses are proposed for control of roosting STLs, which is not covered under the APVMA Permit.

For further chemical information see below or for general information on spur throated locusts go to the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Residues

All active constituents and chemical products proposed for STL control have undergone rigorous checking and validation to ensure appropriate, current application rates, Withholding Periods (WHPs) and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) apply to the uses

These WHPs and MRLs have been established by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and/or Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).

Where appropriate there are also appropriate Export Slaughter Intervals (ESIs) and Export Grazing Intervals (EGIs) provided, and these are incorporated using information provided by SafeMeat Australia. Livestock owners should obtain and read the SafeMeat locust control information on the Safemeat webiste before controlling STLs on crops or pastures which could be grazed or otherwise fed to livestock.

Products for STL control in Victoria

A. Control of STLs in crops and pastures

• FYFANON 440 EW INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 440 g/L MALDISON as the only active constituent.

• NUFARM MALDISON 500 INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 500 g/L MALDISON as the only active constituent.

• FYFANON 1000EC INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 1000 g/L MALDISON as their only active constituent.

• HY-MAL INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 1150 g/L MALDISON as the only active constituent.

• FYFANON ULV INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 1169 g/L MALDISON as the only active constituent.

• NUFARM MALDISON ULV INSECTICIDE

PLUS other registered products containing: 1180 g/L MALDISON as their only active constituent.

• CONQUEST CHLORPYRIFOS 500 INSECTICIDE
• LORSBAN 500 EC INSECTICIDE
• NUFARM CHLORPYRIFOS 500 EC INSECTICIDE
• DAVID GRAYS CHLORPYRIFOS 500

PLUS other registered products containing: 500 g/L CHLORPYRIFOS as their only active constituent.

Directions for Use:

Withholding Periods

(Harvest, Grazing, Export Intervals)

Harvest (all crops)

Adhere to the withholding periods for crops as specified on the approved label of the registered product.

If the crop or pasture is to be cut for stockfeed, do not sell any stock that have been fed cut material for export slaughter until the Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) set below has been observed. The ESI is the minimum period that must elapse between removal of grazing livestock to clean pasture or clean feed and slaughter.

Grazing treated areas for domestic & export markets & for livestock producing milk for human consumption

Livestock destined for the domestic market & livestock producing milk for human consumption:

Livestock destined for the domestic market

Observe the grazing withholding periods as specified on the registered product labels before grazing treated pastures or fodder crops or cutting them for stockfeed.

OR

If overspraying of grazing livestock is unavoidable and does occur, withhold stock from slaughter until the Export Grazing Interval (EGI) or Export Slaughter Interval is met. The EGI is the minimum period that must elapse between the application of the chemical product and slaughter of the stock, where grazing has continued on the crop/pasture from the time that the chemical product was applied.

Livestock destined for export markets:

The label withholding period for grazing only applies to stock slaughtered for the domestic market. Some export markets apply different standards. To meet these standards, ensure that the Export Slaughter Interval or the Export Grazing Interval is observed before stock are sold or slaughtered.

Livestock producing milk for human consumption:

Observe the grazing or cutting for stockfeed withholding period specified on the registered product label before grazing lactating dairy stock on treated pastures or fodder crops, or before cutting treated crops as feed for lactating dairy stock.

Export slaughter intervals (esi):

CHLORPYRIFOS: Livestock that have been grazing on or fed treated material from treated areas and/or over-sprayed with products containing chlorpyrifos should be placed on clean feed for 56 days (8 weeks) prior to export slaughter.

Export grazing interval (egi):

CHLORPYRIFOS: Livestock that have been grazing on treated crops and/or over-sprayed with products containing chlorpyrifos should not be sold for export slaughter for 56 days (8 weeks) after application of the chemical product, unless the Export Slaughter Interval has been observed.

No ESI or EGI are available for areas treated with MALDISON and livestock management MUST adhere to the requirements of the above withholding periods.

Additional information: These chemicals may persist on dry pasture (or in harvested and stored animal feed, e.g. hay) for long periods. Livestock fed on pastures that were treated when drying off or while dry, may have residues at levels unacceptable to our overseas markets. Similarly, feeds harvested from pastures or crops treated when drying off or while dry, may have unacceptable levels of residues. The pasture, or crop, must be regarded as contaminated until such time as there has been substantial re-growth (i.e. following good rains or the autumn break).

Livestock grazing or receiving contaminated feed should be managed in accordance with the Export Intervals described above. If further advice is required, contact your local State Department of Agriculture or Primary Industries, or the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

Vendor declaration:

Vendors may use Question 9 on the NVD (Cattle) or Question 7 on the NVD (Sheep) to confirm to buyers that the stock have been managed in accordance with the requirements of Permit PER11843.

B. Control of STLs in roosting sites and non-crop areas