As part of the National Agrichemical Management Program, AUSVEG is committed to providing timely advice to stakeholders regarding upcoming chemical reviews and changes to agrichemical access. We are equally committed to ensuring that growers and supply-chain members have the opportunity to contribute to discussions on potential changes to government policy and permits for off-label use.

A number of minor use permits are due to expire within the next six months, and AUSVEG is working with Hort Innovation’s Regulatory Affairs and Crop Protection Managers to apply for their renewal. Permit renewal is a rigorous process, with each application subject to detailed scrutiny by the APVMA. Renewal cannot be assumed and must be underpinned by robust justification, including evidence of need, efficacy, and safety.

AUSVEG would welcome any information, including efficacy data, usage experience, pest pressure trends, or agronomic justification, that may assist us in the renewal of the following permits:

Contact David Daniels
E: david.daniels@ausveg.com.au
Ph: 0402 270 554

PERMIT 86665 — FIPRONIL to control white fringed weevil and Symphylids in carrots (Trade names Anthem, Raystar Fipronil, Brutus)

This permit is due to expire on 31 December 2025. As carrots are classified as a major crop, the APVMA has requested justification that this is a minor use within a major crop (i.e. limited area of use). Advice received by AUSVEG to date indicates that white fringed weevil is primarily a concern in carrot production in Tasmania, which accounts for only 16 per cent of the national carrot crop. This advice has been communicated to the APVMA in support of the permit’s renewal. We will keep you informed of the outcome.

AUSVEG does need to highlight that fipronil has been under review by the APVMA since 2002, with the technical assessment still ongoing. The proposed regulatory decision, originally expected by 29 June 2025, is now overdue. While the outcome of the review remains uncertain, fipronil is currently the only active currently approved for the control of white fringed weevil, and AUSVEG holds concerns about the potential impacts should regulatory restrictions be imposed.

PERMIT 13116 — PROPICONAZOLE to control northern corn leaf blight in sweet corn (Trade names Tilt, Propimax and Throttle)

The APVMA has requested advice on whether this permit is still required. AUSVEG maintains that northern corn leaf blight is a serious and recurring issue for sweet corn production, and it has been identified as a high-priority disease in almost all mainland states.

There are currently only two registered products available for managing this disease in sweet corn (Amistar Xtra and Bravo). The availability of propiconazole under this permit provides an important tool for rotating modes of action and helps support resistance management. Given its significance as part of an integrated disease management strategy, there is a clear and ongoing need for this permit to remain in place.

PERMIT 80977 — PROPICONAZOLE to control Cercospora, powdery mildew, Septoria and rust, in parsley (Trade names Tilt, Propimax and Throttle)

The APVMA has requested advice on whether this permit is still required. Propiconazole remains essential for the effective management of several significant fungal diseases in parsley. These diseases continue to pose a serious threat to commercial parsley production, and registered alternatives are currently limited.

The availability of propiconazole provides growers with a critical additional fungicide option. Importantly, it enables the rotation of modes of action, which is vital for managing resistance and preserving the long-term effectiveness of existing fungicide tools. In light of these factors, we consider the continuation of this permit to be justified and necessary.

PERMIT 95266 — CLOTHIANIDIN to control cucumber fruit fly in cucurbit vegetables (Trade name Samurai)

Cucumbers, pumpkins, and zucchinis are listed as major crops in Australia. The APVMA has requested advice on whether this permit is still required and evidence that this permit qualifies as a minor use within a major crop.

AUSVEG intends to demonstrate that due to the limited distribution of cucumber fruit fly (Zeugodacus cucumis) within Australia, and the relatively low production volumes of these crops in the affected regions, there is a strong justification for retaining this permit.

In addition, there is a regional and seasonal dimension to pest risk. For example, in parts of northern Queensland, cucurbit production occurs predominantly during cooler months, when fruit flies are not active and control measures are not required. As such, the need for chemical control is limited to specific production windows and regions, further reducing the scale of use. Taken together, these factors support the classification of this as a minor use within a major crop, consistent with APVMA criteria.

PERMIT 95268 — CLOTHIANIDIN to control Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly in fruiting vegetables (except cucurbits) (Trade name Samurai)

Some of the crops covered under this permit (specifically tomatoes and capsicums) are classified as major crops in Australia. As such, the APVMA has requested justification that the permit represents a minor use within a major crop.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) aspect of this permit is relatively straightforward to justify given the limited distribution of the pest to parts of Western Australia. According to available data, we estimate that 272 hectares of capsicum production in Western Australia under conventional cropping systems. This supports the classification of the use as a minor use within a major crop, consistent with APVMA criteria.

As is the case with capsicums in Western Australia, AUSVEG will provide a similar justification to support the renewal of this permit for tomatoes. Based on available data, we estimate there are approximately 180 hectares dedicated to conventional tomato production in Western Australia, which meets the APVMA’s criteria for a minor use within a major crop.

In relation to Queensland fruit fly, AUSVEG is mounting a case that the distribution of this pest is limited to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and only a small part of South Australia. Approximately 45 866 tonnes of capsicums are grown in the affected regions under conventional outdoor production, equating to an estimated 2 084 hectares. However, much of Queensland’s production occurs during cooler months when fruit fly activity is minimal, and fruit fly controls are largely confined to southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Based on this, the actual area potentially impacted is closer to 1 000 hectares.

Clothianidin is one of several fruit fly control options and is likely among the more expensive choices. It is therefore unlikely to be used broadly across all affected hectares. These factors together provide a strong justification that the use of clothianidin under this permit qualifies as a minor use within a major crop, in line with APVMA criteria.

AUSVEG wishes to emphasise that the neonicotinoid group of insecticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) is currently under review by the APVMA, with proposed regulatory decisions expected between December 2025 and October 2026. While it is difficult to predict the outcomes of that review, there could be direct implications for the continued availability and use of clothianidin under these two permits. In light of the possible restrictions on neonicotinoid use across the entire sector, we are keen to hear your views on the potential impact this may have on your business.

PERMIT 13698 — PHOSPHOROUS ACID to control downy mildew on lettuce, bulb allium vegetables (onions), coriander and parsley  (Trade names Spraygro Sprayphos, AGRI-FOS 600)

The APVMA is seeking advice on whether this permit remains necessary. All crops listed on the permit (except onions) are considered minor crops, so we anticipate the renewal process for those uses to be relatively straightforward.

However, since onions are classified as a major crop, the APVMA has requested that AUSVEG provide justification for the continued off-label use of phosphorous acid in this crop under a minor use permit. Additionally, the APVMA has strongly encouraged the industry to engage with product registrants to explore the possibility of migrating this use to a registered label claim.

Advice from our grower and agronomist networks indicates that phosphorous acid remains an important rotational tool in the management of downy mildew in onions, due to its systemic activity, low resistance risk, and suitability within integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) programs.

The challenge for AUSVEG will be to develop a compelling, evidence-based case that supports the classification of this use as a minor use within a major crop. Concurrently, AUSVEG will begin conversations with registrants regarding the potential for label registration.

This is a priority issue for AUSVEG, and we would be grateful to hear from any onion growers, regardless of whether or not they currently use phosphorous acid, to inform our submission and advocacy efforts.

PERMIT 82358  — Esfenvalerate to control Heliothis in celery (Trade name Sumi-alpha flex insecticide)

This permit expires on 31 Jan 2026 and will not be renewed as it has been migrated to label.