APVMA cancels chlorthal-dimethyl registration
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has cancelled registration and use of all products containing chlorthal-dimethyl, also known as Dacthal or DCPA.
The cancellation takes effect immediately, and no phase out period applies. Growers and retailers who have the herbicide may continue to hold it until further notice from the APVMA, but must not use it. The use of chlorthal dimethyl as an agricultural chemical product is now illegal.
The decision is in response to an APVMA assessment that chlorthal-dimethyl presents an immediate risk to human health due to direct exposure, particularly to unborn babies, and follows a recent US Environmental Protection Agency emergency order to stop use of the herbicide.
Further information on the product recall process will be issued soon by the APVMA.