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FACILITATORS:
Project VG14038 has been recently completed by a research
team led by Peracto Pty Ltd Technical Manager Phillip Frost in
partnership with Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
INTRODUCTION
The selective use of pesticides to control pests plays an
important role in increasing production, improving the quality of
horticultural crops in Australia and enabling vegetable growers to
earn reasonable returns on their investments.
At the same time, today’s health conscious society is extremely
sensitive to issues relating to chemical use, and it is essential that
consumers be protected by adequate regulations governing the
use of agrochemicals.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The aim of this project (VG14038) was to generate residue data to
support the renewal of eight minor-use permit applications to the
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Eight Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) residue studies – or trials
– were undertaken throughout Australia in key growing regions
for various active ingredients and in several crops, ranging from
broccoli and snow peas to zucchini, cucumbers and cauliflower.
The trials were conducted by a research team led by Peracto
Pty Ltd Technical Manager Phillip Frost and covered commercially
grown crops in both outdoor (field) and protected cropping
situations, depending on the requirement.
Each trial consisted of a specific application and sampling
regime to obtain the necessary data to support the aim of
the project.
Mr Frost said the project team was guided by the requirement
of Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) and
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (trading as Growcom)
that residue trials be undertaken to maintain the various minor-
use permits and set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
“We were hoping to obtain residue data that supported
the continued use of the minor-use permits in the crop and
current temporary MRLs already in place for the various active
ingredients. The aim was achieved,” he said.
KEY LEARNINGS
Results generated during the project were reviewed at various
stages by the Hort Innovation R&D manager and Peracto project
team members to ensure the intended outcomes of the trials
were achieved while planning the next steps of the project.
Mr Frost said the key outcome was the renewal of approval
from the APVMA for the pesticide uses listed under the APVMA
minor-use permits.
“The various pests and diseases within this project can cause
significant damage to crops unless they are controlled,” he said.
“But often, growers have limited control measures for various
pests and diseases in minor crops.
“The continued minor-use permit provides an alternative
product or more effective control measure for industry to utilise.”
The APVMA’s National Permit System adds some flexibility to
the lengthy registration process.
It also works to legalise the availability of products for minor-
use purposes that are not specified on the product label.
However, off-label permits issued by the APVMA still must be
applied for, along with information/data that verifies that the
permitted use will be effective and will not have any harmful
effects on humans, crops or the environment.
Mr Frost said the availability of more flexible control options
played a vital role in increasing production capabilities, improving
the quality of produce and enabling growers to earn reasonable
returns on their investments.
The final residue reports for this project were presented to
Growcom for submission to the APVMA, together with the
relevant renewal application for minor-use permits.
NEXT STEPS
“The next steps from this project would be the continued use of
the minor-use permits by the industry,” Mr Frost said.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia
Limited using the National Vegetable Industry Levy and funds
from the Australian Government.
VG14038: GENERATION OF RESIDUE
DATA FOR PESTICIDE MINOR-USE PERMIT
APPLICANTS IN VEGETABLE CROPS 2014
THE BOTTOM LINE: VG14038
With APVMA approval of the minor-use permit applications
that have been submitted, this project provides growers with
effective pesticide options for the control of various pests
and diseases.
Control measures for the various target pests and diseases
are limited with the proposed uses able to provide an
alternative product or a more effective level of control for
the fruit and vegetable industry.
Hort Innovation and Growcom require the generation of
residue data for the control of various pests and diseases
to support minor-use permit applications to the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).